HISTORY 


—    _^-___  —.«**-  r 

•   f-I   I?  Pi    IMrlV 
J,  jtj.  i  Jll  aVlLwll  JUlwl  i 

OF  INFANTRY 

^     MVM.       |: 

IN    THE    LATE  ^VAR 
OF  THE   REBELllON 


HISTORY  OF  THE 
FIFTIETH  REGIMENT  OF  INFANTRY 


COL.  CARLOS   P.  MESSER 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


FIFTIETH   REGIMENT 
OF  INFANTRY 


MASSACHUSETTS    VOLUNTEER    MILITIA 

IN  THE 
LATE  WAR    OF  THE    REBELLION 


BY 

WILLIAM   B.  STEVENS 
ii 

A  MEMBER  OF  Co.  C 


PROPERTY  OF 

Bryant  Free  Library. 

CUMMINGTON,  MA^S. 


BOSTON: 
GRIFFITH-STILLINGS  PRESS 

1907 


E5/3 

.  5 


PREFACE 

IN  1892  Comrade  William  C.  Eustis  of  Company  E 
had  in  preparation  a  history  of  the  regiment.  He  had 
collected  much  material  and  had  partially  written  it, 
but  his  early  death  prevented  its  completion.  The 
writer  was  subsequently  requested  to  finish  the  work, 
and  commenced  it  several  years  since,  but  official  duties 
and  a  multiplicity  of  cares  have  caused  a  long  and 
unfortunate  delay.  The  ranks  are  being  rapidly  thinned ; 
a  majority  has  passed  to  the  other  side;  and  if  the  sur 
viving  members  of  the  regiment  desire  to  read  its  his 
tory  during  their  lives,  the  opportunity  should  be  given 
them  at  the  earliest  possible  day.  Much  assistance  has 
been  derived  from  what  had  been  written  by  Comrade 
Eustis  and  from  the  diaries  of  other  comrades. 

That  of  Sergt.  Solomon  Nelson  of  Company  K 
was  very  complete,  giving  an  entertaining  account  of 
his  army  life.  The  writer  is  also  indebted  to  Corpl. 
Henry  H.  Johnson  of  Company  F,  to  Corpl.  Wil 
liam  H.  Nash  of  Company  D,  to  Comrade  James  Howe 
of  Company  F,  to  Comrade  Myron  W.  Messer  of  Com 
pany  C,  to  Corpl.  Oilman  A.  Andrews  of  Company  A, 
to  Comrade  Otis  E.  Sheldon  of  Company  F,  to  Corpl. 
William  S.  Henry  of  Company  H,  for  their  several 
diaries,  and  last,  but  not  least,  to  Corpl.  George  H. 
Blinn  of  Company  A,  who  has  always  been  indefatigable 
in  everything  relating  to  the  history  of  the  regiment. 


M205571 


vi  Preface 

Numerous  quotations  have  been  made  from  these 
diaries,  especially  from  that  of  Sergeant  Nelson,  for  it 
was  thought  the  impressions  of  the  men  as  written 
down  at  the  time  were  more  vivid  and  interesting  than 
recollections  recalled  after  the  lapse  of  years.  It  is  a 
source  of  regret  that  the  record  of  our  experiences  could 
not  have  been  more  complete,  but  pressure  of  other 
duties,  and  a  feeling  that  there  should  be  no  further 
delay,  have  compelled  the  author  to  finish  the  memorial 
contained  in  the  following  pages,  brief  and  unsatisfac 
tory  as  it  is.  He  does  not  flatter  himself  that  the  book 
will  be  of  any  public  interest,  or  will  contribute  any  new 
or  valuable  information  relating  to  the  expedition  of 
General  Banks  and  the  siege,  assault  and  fall  of  Port 
Hudson. 

If  the  recital  shall  interest  the  survivors  of  the  regi 
ment  and  their  friends,  the  object  hoped  for  will  have 
been  attained.  The  happiness,  the  sorrow,  the  hard 
ships  of  those  days  long  gone  by  live  only  in  memory, 
but  they  are  often  recalled  with  pleasure  and  satis 
faction.  A  few  more  years  and  these  memories  will 
cease  to  be  preserved  by  living  men,  and  will  be  handed 
down  by  those  who  come  after  us  only  by  record  and 
tradition.  At  least  our  children's  children  will  recall 
with  pride  and  satisfaction  the  story  of  their  sires. 

WILLIAM  B.  STEVENS. 
STONEHAM,  1907. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I 

PAGES 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  —  LIFE  AT  CAMP  STAN- 
TON,  BOXFORD  —  DEPARTURE  FOR  NEW  YORK 
—  IN  CAMP  AT  CAMP  BANKS,  LONG  ISLAND  .  .  1-14 


CHAPTER  II 

COMPANY  H  REFUSES  TO  GO  ON  THE  NIAGARA,  ON  WHICH 
COMPANIES  B,  C,  D,  F  AND  G  EMBARK  —  COM 
PANY  H  SAILS  FROM  NEW  YORK  ON  THE  JENNY 

LIND  —  THE  NIAGARA  SPRINGS  ALEAK  AND  TAKES 
FIRE  OFF  THE  DELAWARE  BREAKWATER  AND  IS 
TOWED  UP  THE  DELAWARE  RlVER  TO  PHILA 
DELPHIA —  EXPERIENCE  IN  THE  "CITY  OF 
BROTHERLY  LOVE"  .  15-22 


CHAPTER  III 

COMPANIES  B,  C,  D,  F,  G  AND  H  SAIL  FROM  PHILADELPHIA 
ON  THE  JENNY  LIND,  PUTTING  IN  AT  FORTRESS 
MONROE  —  THE  VOYAGE  AND  SAIL  UP  THE 
RIVER  TO  NEW  ORLEANS  AND  BATON  ROUGE  .  23-34 


CHAPTER  IV 
COMPANIES  B,  D  AND  F  SAIL  FROM  FORTRESS  MONROE 

ON  THE  MONTEBELLO DlARY  OF  CORPL.  WlL- 

LIAM  H.  NASH    .  35-42 


CHAPTER  V 

ACCOUNT  OF  THE  VOYAGE  OF  COMPANIES  A,  K  AND  E 
FROM  NEW  YORK  TO  BATON  ROUGE  AS  GIVEN 
BY  COMRADE  EUSTIS  AND  SERGEANT  NELSON  .  43-53 


Vlll 


Contents 


CHAPTER  VI 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  19TH  ARMY  CORPS  UNDER  GENERAL 
BANKS  —  CAMP   LIFE   AT   BATON    ROUGE   . 


PAGES 


54-65 


CHAPTER  VII 

FEINT   ON   PORT   HUDSON  —  MARCH   OF  THE  TROOPS  — 
ADMIRAL   FARRAGUT   MAKES   A   NAVAL   ATTACK 

AND  PASSES  UP  THE   RlVER DESTRUCTION   OF 

THE    MISSISSIPPI  —  RETURN    OF   THE    ARMY   TO 
BATON  ROUGE    .  


66-84 


CHAPTER  VIII 
EXPEDITION  TO  WINTER'S  PLANTATION    , 


85-94 


CHAPTER  IX 

DEPARTURE  OF  TROOPS  FOR  THE  TECHE  COUNTRY  — 
GENERAL  DUDLEY'S  BRIGADE  REMAINS  TO  GARRI 
SON  BATON  ROUGE  —  DEATH  OF  DR.  FRENCH 
—  ARRIVAL  OF  GRIERSON'S  CAVALRY  .  95-102 


CHAPTER  X 

MARCH  TO  WHITE'S  BAYOU  OR  BLACK  CREEK  —  GUARD 
ING  THE  BRIDGE  AT  THAT  PLACE  —  MARCH  FROM 
WHITE'S  BAYOU  TO  PORT  HUDSON  —  REVISIT 
ING  BAYOU  AND  BAYOU  MONTICENO  IN  1897.  .  103-115 


CHAPTER  XI 

PORT  HUDSON  AND  ITS  FORTIFICATIONS  —  ACCOUNT  OF 
THE  DEFENCES  AS  GIVEN  BY  LIEUTENANT  FRERET 
OF  THE  CONFEDERATE  ARMY  —  BATTLE  OF 
PLAINS'  STORE  —  INVESTMENT  OF  PORT  HUD 
SON  AND  ORDER  FOR  ASSAULT  ON  MAY  27  — 
CORRESPONDENCE  BETWEEN  BANKS,  GRANT  AND 
HALLECK  ....  116-132 


Contents  ix 

CHAPTER  XII 

PAGES 

ASSAULT  OF  MAY  27,  1863,  ON  PORT  HUDSON  —  DIARIES 
OF  WILLIAM  C.  EUSTIS,  JAMES  HOWE  AND  SER 
GEANT  NELSON  133-143 

CHAPTER  XIII 

DIARY  OF  GEN.  HALBERT  E.  PAINE  —  REPORT  OF  COL. 
I.  G.  W.  STEEDMAN  —  AFTER  THE  ASSAULT  OF 
MAY  27 144-151 

CHAPTER  XIV 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  TROOPS  AT  PORT  HUDSON,  MAY  31, 
Ig63  —  DIARY  OF  SERGEANT  NELSON  FROM 
MAY  27  TO  JUNE  14 152-169 

CHAPTER  XV 

SURRENDER  OF  PORT  HUDSON  DEMANDED  —  SPECIAL 
ORDERS  —  ASSAULT  OF  JUNE  14  —  GENERAL 
PAINE'S  DIARY  —  BURIAL  OF  THE  DEAD  — 
CORRESPONDENCE  BETWEEN  GENERAL  BANKS 
AND  GENERAL  HALLECK 170-185 

CHAPTER  XVI 

VOLUNTEERS  CALLED  FOR  TO  FORM  A  STORMING  PARTY  — 
THE  REGIMENT  VOLUNTEER  TO  REMAIN  BEYOND 
THEIR  TERM  OF  ENLISTMENT  —  SURRENDER  OF 
PORT  HUDSON 186-213 

CHAPTER  XVII 

GARRISONING  PORT  HUDSON  —  THE  REGIMENT  EMBARK 
ON  THE  STEAMER  OMAHA  —  VOYAGE  UP  THE 
RIVER  TO  CAIRO  —  JOURNEY  HOME 214-231 

CHAPTER  XVIII 
GENERAL  DUDLEY  .  232-240 


x  Contents 

APPENDIX 

PAGES 

HEADSTONES  AT  THE  GRAVES  OF  COMRADES  IN  THE  NA 
TIONAL  CEMETERY  AT  BATON  ROUGE  —  CARD 
ISSUED  TO  MEMBERS  OF  THE  REGIMENT  IN  PHILA 
DELPHIA —  ROSTER  OF  THE  FIELD,  STAFF  AND 
LINE  OFFICERS  OF  THE  DETACHMENT  OF  THE 
50ra  REGIMENT  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS 
IN  1862  AT  PHILADELPHIA  —  SOLDIERS'  GUIDE 
TO  PHILADELPHIA  —  ORGANIZATION  OF  TROOPS 
IN  THE  3o  MILITARY  DISTRICT,  DEPARTMENT 
MISSISSIPPI  AND  EAST  LOUISIANA,  COMMANDED 
BY  MAJ.-GEN.  FRANK  GARDNER,  APRIL  30,  1863 

—  EXTRACT  FROM  PORTLAND  "PRESS"  RELATING 
TO    MARCUS    A.    HANNA    OF    COMPANY    B  —  A 
REBEL  NARRATIVE  —  THE  STORY  OF  A  MASONIC 
PIN  —  CAPTURE  OF  PORT  HUDSON  AS  GIVEN  IN 
NEW    ORLEANS    "ERA"    OF    JUNE    12,    1863  — 
TERRIBLE    SICKNESS    IN    THE    GARRISON  —  AC 
COUNT  OF  THE   REGIMENTAL  REUNIONS  TAKEN 
FROM  THE  RECORDS  OF  THE  SECRETARY,  CORPL. 
GEORGE  H.  BLINN  —  COMPANY  A  —  COMPANY  C 

—  COMPANY    E  —  JOURNAL    OF    COMPANY    A  — 
ARRIVAL   OF   THE    50TH    MASSACHUSETTS    REGI 
MENT  AS  GIVEN  IN  BOSTON  "JOURNAL"  OF  AUG. 
12,  1863  —  LETTER  FROM  A  SOLDIER  WHO  HAD 
RECOVERED  HIS  HEALTH  AND   RETURNED   HOME 

FROM  THE  HOSPITAL  .  ...    241-288 


ROSTER 

ROSTER  OF  THE   FIFTIETH  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS, 

FIELD,  STAFF  AND  COMPANIES 289-395 

INDEX  .  .   397-399 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 


COLONEL  CARLOS  P.  MESSER Frontispiece 

GENERAL  N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY facing  page  232 

COLONEL  CARLOS  P.  MESSER facing  page 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL  JOHN  W.  LOCKE     ....  " 

MAJOR  JOHN  HODGES,  JR 

QUARTERMASTER  HENRY  D.  DEGEN 

SURGEON  WILLIAM  COGSWELL 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  NATHANIEL  W.  FRENCH  .    .  facing  page    54 

SERGEANT-MAJOR  OLIVER  A.  ROBERTS "54 

QUARTERMASTER-SERGEANT  DAVID  M.  KELLEY    .  "54 

ASSISTANT  SURGEON  JOHN  HANCOCK      "54 

COMMISSARY  SERGEANT  LEONARD  RAND     ....  54 

CAPTAIN  GEORGE  D.  PUTNAM,  Co.  A facing  page    66 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  LANGDON  WARD,  Co.  B     ....  "      66 

CAPTAIN  DARIUS  N.  STEVENS,  Co.  C 66 

CAPTAIN  JOSIAH  W.  COBURN,  Co.  D "       66 

CAPTAIN  SAMUEL  F.  LITTLEFIELD,  Co.  E  .    .    .    .  "       66 

MISCELLANEOUS  VIEWS  IN  LOUISIANA facing  page    94 

CAPTAIN  SAMUEL  W.  DUNCAN,  Co.  F facing  page  102 

CAPTAIN  GEORGE  W.  EDWARDS,  Co.  G      .    .    .    .  "     102 

CAPTAIN  CYRUS  HOBBS,  Co.  H "     102 

CAPTAIN  NICHOLAS  POWER,  Co.  I   ...  102 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  G.  BARNES,  Co.  K  .    .    .  102 

MAP  OF  PORT  HUDSON facing  page  112 

IST  LIEUTENANT  ROBERT  W.  REEVES,  Co.  A      .  facing  page  132 

IST  LIEUTENANT  EDWARD  W.  PHILLIPS,  Co.  B  .  "     132 

IST  LIEUTENANT  SAMUEL  C.  TRULL,  Co.  C  ...  "     132 

IST  LIEUTENANT  JOHN  S.  CONEY,  Co.  D  .    .    .    .  "     132 

IST  LIEUTENANT  HORACE  M.  WARREN,  Co.  E     .  "     132 


Xll 


List  of  Illustrations 


IST  LIEUTENANT  DAVID  BOYNTON,  Co.  F  .  .  . 
IST  LIEUTENANT  HENRY  T.  HOLMES,  Co.  H  . 
IST  LIEUTENANT  JOHN  P.  BRADSTREET,  Co.  K 
HOSPITAL  STEWARD,  P.  A.  SAWYER 


ACTING  HOSPITAL  STEWARD  JAMES  HOWE,  Co.  F, 

2o  LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  B.  UPTON,  Co.  A     .  . 
2o  LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  H.  HURD,  Co.  B 

2o  LIEUTENANT  FREDERICK  COCHRANE,  Co.  C  . 

2o  LIEUTENANT  ORAMEL  G.  ABBOTT,  Co.  D    .  . 

2o  LIEUTENANT  JAMES  D.  DRAPER,  Co.  E  .    .  . 

2o  LIEUTENANT  IRA  HURD,  Co.  F      

2o  LIEUTENANT  ANDREW  F.  STOWE,  Co.  G     .    . 
2o  LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  P.  DANIELS,  Co.  H.    . 
2o  LIEUTENANT  JAMES  H.  RUNDLETT,  Co.  K  . 
CORPORAL  GEORGE  H.  BLINN,  Co.  A 


facing  page  170 

"     170 

170 

170 

"     170 

facing  page  187 

187 

187 

187 

•'  187 

facing  page  214 

"  214 

214 

214 

"  214 


JOHN  W.  LOCKE 
Lieut.  Col.  50th  Mass. 


HENRY  D.  DEGEN 

Quartermaster,  f>0th  Mass. 


CARLOS  P.  MESSER 
Colonel,  50th  Mass. 


JOHN  HODGES,  JR. 
Major,  50th  Mass. 


WILLIAM  COGSWELL 
Surgeon,  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Regiment  of  Infantry 


CHAPTER  I 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  REGIMENT  —  LIFE  AT  CAMP  STANTON, 
BOXFORD  —  DEPARTURE  FOR  NEW  YORK — IN  CAMP  AT 
CAMP  BANKS,  LONG  ISLAND 

ONE  generation  has  come  and  another  gone  since  the 
close  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion,  and  the  space  of 
more  than  half  a  lifetime  stretches  from  the  summer 
of  1862,  when  three  hundred  thousand  nine-months  troops 
were  summoned   to    re-enforce  the    Federal   armies  by 
proclamation  of  President  Lincoln. 

The  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  was  raised  and 
organized  during  the  darkest  days  of  the  war.  It  was  at 
the  flood-tide  of  disaster,  McClellan's  fruitless  campaign 
on  the  Peninsula  had  been  followed  by  Pope's  reverse 
at  the  second  Bull  Run.  Sorrow,  disappointment  and 
gloom  weighed  down  the  North.  But  the  disasters  which 
had  followed  our  armies  fired  the  patriotism  of  the  people 
to  white  heat  and  intensified  their  determination  to  con 
quer  the  Rebellion  and  save  the  Union  at  whatever  cost. 
Sad  and  deplorable  as  are  the  horrors  of  war,  there  is 
some  compensation  when  one  reflects  upon  the  self- 
sacrifices,  chivalrous  and  heroic  qualities  which  it 
develops.  Men  get  out  of  their  little  selves  and  fight  to 
the  death  for  a  great  cause.  At  such  a  time  and  under 
such  a  stimulus  the  boys  responded  to  their  country's 
call  in  1862.  It  is  difficult  for  a  person  who  has  been 
born  and  grown  to  manhood,  surrounded  by  the  environ 
ments  of  peace  which  have  existed  for  the  past  forty 
years,  with  a  brief  interregnum,  to  realize  how  intense 
was  the  patriotic  fervor  and  excitement  which  swept  over 
the  country  from  1861  to  1865. 


2  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

After  the  Revolution  it  was  the  epoch  of  our  national 
heroism.  It  now  seems  fortunate  to  have  lived  during 
such  a  period.  The  men  who  fought  the  war  for  inde 
pendence  had  passed  away,  and,  outside  the  pages  of 
recorded  history,  their  achievements  were  little  more 
than  fond  traditions;  the  occasion  arose,  the  summons 
came,  and  the  descendants  proved  themselves  worthy 
successors  of  their  patriotic  ancestors. 

In  character,  education  and  birth,  the  men  of  the 
regiment  generally  represented  the  good  old  stock  of 
Middlesex  and  Essex  Counties,  whose  lineage  extended 
back  to  the  early  settlement  of  the  colony,  for  eight  out 
of  the  ten  companies  came  from  these  two  counties,  one 
from  Suffolk  and  one  from  Worcester.  Several  of  them 
had  histories  in  the  state  militia  before  the  war,  although 
the  old  organizations  served  hardly  more  than  skeletons 
which  were  filled  up  with  new  recruits.  Some  of  them 
had  also  seen  active  service  in  different  regiments  during 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1861. 

The  President's  call  was  issued  on  the  fourth  day  of 
August,  1862,  and  Massachusetts,  with  her  usual  alacrity, 
at  once  proceeded  to  fill  her  quota.  To  this  call  the 
organized  militia  companies  of  Middlesex  and  Essex 
Counties,  comprising  in  part  the  old  7th  Regiment  of  the 
state  militia,  responded,  and  with  other  new  companies 
formed  the  50th  Massachusetts  Regiment,  which  was 
designated  as  the  50th  Volunteer  Militia. 

Company  A  was  from  Salem  under  Captain  Putnam, 
and  was  one  of  the  oldest  militia  organizations  in  the 
state,  having  been  organized  and  chartered  May  1,  1805. 
Known  as  the  Salem  Light  Infantry,  in  April,  1861,  it 
joined  the  8th  Regiment  and  served  three  months. 

Company  B,  sometimes  called  the  Rockport  Company, 
Captain  Ward,  was  composed  mostly  of  men  from  that 
town,  North  Andover  and  Hamilton. 

Company  C,  formerly  the  Stoneham  Light  Infantry, 
was  organized  in  1851.  Known  as  Company  C  in  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  3 

7th  Regiment  Militia,  and  as  Company  L  in  the  6th 
Regiment  (three  months'  service),  on  the  19th  of  April, 
1861,  under  Capt.  John  H.  Dike,  it  made  the  famous 
march  through  Baltimore.  The  nucleus  of  this  company 
was  from  Stoneham,  with  additions  from  Lawrence, 
Methuen  and  a  few  other  towns. 

Company  D,  Captain  Coburn,  was  recruited  mostly  in 
Reading,  North  Reading  and  Wilmington. 

Company  E,  formerly  known  as  the  Richardson  Light 
Guard  of  South  Reading  (now  Wakefield),  was  organized 
Oct.  2,  1851.  Known  as  Company  E,  7th  Regiment 
Militia,  and  as  Company  B,  5th  Regiment  (three  months' 
service),  it  was  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run,  and  its 
captain,  J.  W.  Locke,  was  commissioned  lieutenant 
colonel  of  the  50th  Regiment. 

Company  F,  Captain  Duncan,  was  recruited  in  Haver- 
hill. 

Company  G,  Captain  Edwards,  was  also  from  Haver- 
hill,  formerly  known  as  the  Haverhill  Light  Infantry, 
and  organized  in  1853.  It  was  known  as  Company  G, 
7th  Regiment  Militia;  as  Company  D,  5th  Regiment,  in 
which  it  served  three  months,  and  participated  in  the 
first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Its  captain,  Carlos  P.  Messer, 
was  commissioned  our  colonel. 

Company  H,  Captain  Hobbs,  was  from  Chelsea;  and 
Company  I,  Captain  Power,  from  Worcester. 

Company  K,  Captain  Barnes,  was  recruited  largely  in 
Georgetown,  with  men  from  Bradford,  Groveland,  Box- 
ford,  Newbury  and  Topsfield.  Our  major,  John  Hodges, 
Jr.,  of  Salem,  a  brave  and  gallant  young  officer  fresh  from 
Harvard  College,  had  served  three  months,  in  the  19th 
Regiment.  He  was  afterwards  lieutenant  colonel  of  the 
59th  Massachusetts  Regiment,  and  was  killed  at  Peters 
burg.  Henry  A.  Wentworth  was  adjutant,  and  Henry  D. 
Degen  was  quartermaster. 

We  can  make  no  claim  to  glory  achieved  in  a  long  series 
of  bloody  and  hard-fought  battles,  but  it  is  fair  to  say 


4  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

that  at  all  times  we  did  our  duty  faithfully,  and  bore 
with  equanimity  and  fortitude  the  hardships  and  priva 
tions  of  a  severe  and  trying  campaign.  Our  services 
consisted  chiefly  in  participating  in  the  siege  and  reduc 
tion  of  Port  Hudson.  This  stronghold  captured  and 
the  Mississippi  opened,  our  work  was  finished,  and  about 
one  year  after  the  time  of  enlistment  the  regiment  was 
disbanded  on  the  24th  day  of  August,  1863,  and  the 
surviving  members  returned  to  their  several  homes  to 
take  up  once  more  the  various  employments  of  civil  life. 

This  was  many  years  ago,  and  at  our  annual  reunions 
there  now  return  but  few  except  those  who  then  were 
boys  and  young  men;  and  before  they  are  all  gone  it 
seems  desirable  to  leave  a  brief  record  of  their  service. 
It  is  true  they  did  not  contribute  much  towards  the 
great  result,  but  as  the  small  stream  courses  its  way  and 
mingles  its  waters  with  those  of  the  on-flowing  river,  so 
they  formed  part  of  the  grand  Army  that  saved  the 
Union. 

The  several  companies  were  organized,  recruited  and 
drilled  during  August  and  the  early  part  of  the  following 
month,  and  on  the  12th  of  September,  a  beautiful  autum 
nal  day,  began  to  arrive  at  Camp  Stanton,  Boxford.  It 
was  a  day  long  to  be  remembered  when  the  boys  disem 
barked  from  the  train,  formed  into  company  line,  and 
marched  to  the  ground  which  had  been  assigned  for  their 
quarters.  There  was  a  lively  scene  of  bustle  and  excite 
ment  as  streets  were  laid  out,  tents  pitched  and  the  men 
settled  down  to  their  first  experience  of  camp  life. 

After  a  busy  day  came  the  evening  when  tents  were 
lighted,  and  the  grounds  resounded  with  mirth,  hilarity 
and  song.  The  blood  then  bounded  through  our  veins, 
surcharged  with  the  life  and  animal  spirits  of  youth. 
Camp  Stanton  was  admirably  adapted  to  the  purposes 
for  which  it  was  used,  consisting  of  a  large  tract  of  level 
land,  sloping  into  the  meadow  at  the  north,  with  fine 
facilities  for  drilling  and  dress  parade. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  5 

Leaving  the  railroad  it  will  be  remembered  the  post 
headquarters  were  on  the  left.  Passing  through  the 
encampment,  first  was  located  on  the  right  the  10th 
Battery  and  the  41st  Regiment.  Next  came  the  50th 
and  at  the  extreme  west  the  8th  Massachusetts,  Colonel 
Coffin.  The  47th,  Colonel  Marsh,  was  located  south  of 
the  41st.  These  four  regiments  with  a  battery  occupied 
between  four  and  five  hundred  tents.  During  two  months 
or  more  the  men  settled  down  to  hard  work  for  the  pur 
pose  of  being  transformed  so  far  as  possible  in  that  time 
from  undisciplined  citizens  into  trained  soldiers. 

Col.  Edward  F.  Jones  was  post  commandant  and 
Lieutenant  Hayes  of  the  Regular  Army  post  quarter 
master.  How  fresh  comes  back  the  memory  of  those 
crisp  September  mornings  when  the  bugle  summoned 
the  boys  to  roll  call  at  five  o'clock,  after  which  they  fell 
in  and  marched  to  Stevens's  Pond  for  a  general  wash. 
How  the  cold  water  tingled  the  blood  and  set  it  in  cir 
culation!  Breakfast  at  six,  and  dinner  at  twelve,  inter 
spersed  with  squad,  company  and  regimental  drills,  and 
supper  at  six,  preceded  by  dress  parade,  filled  up  the 
hours  of  the  day. 

On  September  19th  the  regiment  was  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  by  Lieutenant  Elder  of 
the  Regular  Army.  The  men  were  armed  with  Spring 
field  smooth-bores,  a  very  effective  weapon  for  some  pur 
poses,  but  of  little  use  at  long  range.  These  antiquated 
guns  saved  us  from  great  peril,  at  least  on  one  occasion 
before  Port  Hudson,  and  although  at  the  time  they  were 
received  rather  ungraciously,  subsequent  events  proved 
them  to  be  in  some  respects,  at  least,  a  blessing  in  disguise. 
Being  thus  armed,  our  regiment  was  not  detailed  for 
sharpshooting,  and  took  no  very  active  part  in  either  of 
the  assaults  on  the  rebel  works,  but  was  detailed  to 
throw  up  fortifications,  to  dig  and  occupy  rifle  pits 
and  support  batteries,  as  with  our  arms  we  could  pour 
upon  the  enemy  a  withering  fire  at  close  quarters. 


6  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Many  an  old  soldier  can  now  look  back  upon  the  two 
and  a  half  months  passed  at  Camp  Stanton  as  among 
the  red-letter  days  of  his  life.  Notwithstanding  the 
exactions  of  guard  duty,  military  drills  and  dress  parade, 
the  autocratic  government  under  army  regulations,  and 
sometimes  the  arbitrary  dictation  of  superior  officers,  it 
was  in  many  respects  a  pleasant  and  delightful  experi 
ence,  and  to  some  of  us  who  were  detailed  as  orderlies 
and  clerks  at  post  headquarters,  with  the  privilege  of  fill 
ing  out  our  own  passes,  and  exercising  when  off  duty 
an  almost  absolute  freedom  of  will,  it  was  one  prolonged 
picnic. 

Most  if  not  all  of  the  camp  ground  was  comprised 
within  the  farms  of  Mr.  Barnes  and  Mr.  Stevens,  the 
house  of  the  latter  situated  near  the  corner  of  the  pond 
being  used  as  a  boarding  house  for  the  officers.  For 
thirty  years  after  its  occupancy  the  old  camp  ground 
remained  almost  undisturbed,  showing  hardly  a  change 
since  1862.  It  was  possible  to  travel  over  the  fields,  pick 
out  the  regimental  and  companies'  streets,  and  even 
locate  the  position  of  individual  tents  by  the  trenches 
which  still  remained.  Many  a  well-preserved  stake  was 
pulled  up  as  a  memento  of  those  far-off  days.  Some 
years  since  a  portion  of  one  pleasant  Sabbath  afternoon 
was  passed  upon  the  ground  by  two  comrades,  in  com 
pany  with  the  proprietor,  Mr.  Barnes,  who  pointed  out 
the  places  of  interest  and  recalled  delightful  reminis 
cences.  At  the  time  of  the  encampment  he  will  be 
remembered  as  a  vigorous  and  well-to-do  farmer  in  the 
prime  of  manhood,  and  now  you  behold  him  a  patri 
archal  and  venerable  old  gentleman,  full  of  years,  and 
covered  with  the  earmarks  of  an  honorable  and  well- 
spent  life.  He  recalled  the  circumstance  of  the  burn 
ing  of  his  barn  on  the  18th  of  October,  1862,  when  the 
fine  horse  of  Major  Hodges  perished  in  the  flames.  In 
most  respects  those  were  uneventful  weeks,  not  many 
events  occurring  which  now  seem  worthy  of  being  re- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  7 

corded  upon  the  pages  of  a  regimental  history,  and  yet 
it  is  desirable  at  least  to  draw  the  outline  which  one 
must  fill  up  with  his  own  reminiscent  imagination  to 
complete  the  full  picture. 

Let  us  live  over  in  recollection  a  single  day,  from  the 
bugle  call  at  five  in  the  morning  to  taps  at  nine  in  the 
evening,  when  all  lights  were  out  or,  as  used  to  be  said, 
we  "  doused  the  glim."  And  how  the  evenings  after 
supper  were  given  up  to  rollicking  fun,  story-telling, 
singing  and  card  playing,  and  sometimes  serenading  dif 
ferent  officers.  By  the  way,  no  regiment  was  better 
equipped  for  serenades  than  ours,  for  our  band  came  to 
be  recognized  as  the  best  one  in  the  Department  of  the 
Gulf,  and  was  selected  by  General  Banks  to  accompany 
him  on  the  steamer  North  Star  on  his  departure  to  the 
South  to  relieve  General  Butler.  The  boys  will  always 
associate  " Listen  to  the  Mocking-bird"  with  our  old 
50th  regimental  band,  Henry  Johnston,  leader.  The  pro 
ficiency  acquired  by  the  regiment  in  keeping  step  and 
marching  was  largely  due  to  the  band. 

The  days  and  weeks  at  Boxford  had  lengthened  into 
months,  and  the  mild  and  balmy  weather  of  a  New  Eng 
land  autumn  was  followed  by  a  severe  rainstorm,  so 
violent  that  the  guards  were  taken  off,  and  the  tents 
were  flooded  with  water,  in  some  instances  a  foot  deep, 
and  some  of  the  men  sought  shelter  in  neighboring  barns. 

On  the  7th  and  8th  of  November  occurred  the  first 
snowstorm  of  the  season,  the  snow  falling  to  a  depth  of 
six  inches,  and  the  inclement  weather  of  the  closing 
weeks  there  caused  most  of  the  men  to  look  forward  with 
glad  anticipation  to  a  departure  which  promised  change 
of  scene  and  a  milder  climate;  and  then  when  it  is  re 
membered  how  large  a  portion  of  the  members  of  the 
regiment  were  only  on  the  threshold  of  early  manhood, 
a  time  when  we  almost  seem  to  tread  the  air,  buoyed  up 
by  physical  vigor  and  animal  spirits,  it  is  probable  they 
were  looking  forward  with  pleasing  expectation  to  the 


8  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

excitement  and  adventures  of  army  life,  little  realizing 
the  dangers  and  hardships  before  them,  that  some  would 
return  with  shattered  health  and  others  would  never 
return. 

The  19th  of  November,  1862,  was  ushered  in  with  a 
dull  and  rainy  morning,  when  knapsacks  were  packed, 
overcoats  and  equipments  donned,  guns  shouldered,  and 
companies  formed,  and  the  regimental  line  was  on  its 
farewell  march  through  the  deserted  camp  ground,  for 
the  long  train  which  was  to  bear  us  on  our  first  stage 
towards  the  scene  of  war.  After  the  usual  delay  in 
loading  baggage  and  men,  and  a  final  parting  from  sor 
rowing  and  weeping  friends,  the  train  started,  and  life  at 
Camp  Stanton,  with  all  its  pleasant  recollections,  was 
forever  closed.  Arrived  in  Boston,  the  regiment  was 
again  formed  and,  with  cheers  and  a  Godspeed  from 
enthusiastic  friends  and  citizens,  the  line  of  march  was 
taken  to  the  Boston  and  Worcester  depot,  where  we 
boarded  the  cars  over  the  Worcester  and  Norwich  route. 
After  a  painful  delay,  and  more  painful  adieus,  the  engine 
hauled  out,  and  we  were  on  our  way  to  New  York,  arriv 
ing  in  the  evening  at  Allyn's  Point,  about  half  past  ten, 
when  we  were  transferred  to  the  steamers  City  of  New 
York  and  City  of  Boston.  The  ensuing  morning  was 
cloudy  and  rainy,  but  how  happy  and  exuberant  were  the 
boys  as,  rising  from  hard  beds,  they  issued  forth  upon 
deck  and  beheld  for  the  first  time  the  beauties  of  Long 
Island  Sound  and  the  approach  to  New  York,  passing 
the  Great  Eastern,  sailing  up  through  Hell  Gate  and 
East  River,  by  BlackwelPs  Island  and  Brooklyn,  to  the 
pier.  The  regiment  disembarked  and  marched  through 
muddy  streets  up  Broadway  to  City  Hall  Park,  where 
guns  were  stacked  and  breakfast  was  served  at  the  bar 
racks  in  front  of  City  Hall.  To  the  men  of  the  50th 
Regiment  this  part  of  the  city  will  always  seem  the  most 
interesting  section  of  New  York.  At  one  end  was  the 
venerable  City  Hall  dating  back  to  the  early  part  of  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  9 

century,  on  one  side  the  famous  Astor  House  and  on  the 
other  the  newspaper  houses  of  the  Tribune,  the  Herald 
and  the  Times,  with  French's  and  Lovejoy's  Hotels, 
where  old-time  hospitality  was  dispensed  with  a  hearty 
good-will. 

In  the  afternoon  the  regiment  formed  and  marched 
to  barracks  on  Franklin  Street,  where  clean  and  com 
fortable  quarters  were  furnished.  A  guard  was  placed 
over  the  building,  but  the  temptation  to  do  the  town 
that  night  was  too  great  for  some  of  the  more  ingenious 
and  adventurous  spirits,  who,  by  various  devices,  out 
witted  and  outflanked  the  guard.  As  they  came 
straggling  in  through  the  evening  recounting  the  sights 
and  adventures  to  comrades,  a  pretty  general  resolve  was 
developed  by  the  next  morning  on  the  part  of  the  boys 
to  make  the  most  at  least  of  one  day  in  New  York.  In 
some  mysterious  way  men  eluded  the  vigilance  of  officers 
and  guards. 

Shutters  were  wrenched  off  from  rear  windows  of  the 
basement,  and  squads  in  twos  and  threes  were  seen  issu 
ing  through  the  opening  on  the  way  to  French's  Hotel 
and  other  hostelries  for  breakfast.  Notwithstanding  the 
depressing  influence  of  a  drenching  rain  and  muddy 
streets,  since  the  days  of  Hendrik  Hudson  it  is  doubtful 
if  any  body  of  men  ever  enjoyed  the  attractions  of  New 
York  with  greater  zest  than  the  members  of  the  regi 
ment,  from  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  November 
21  to  the  small  hours  of  the  next  day.  On  the  morn 
ing  of  the  22d,  knapsacks  were  again  packed  and  about 
ten  o'clock  we  marched  to  the  ferry,  crossed  over  to 
Williamsburg,  and  in  heavy  marching  order  proceeded 
through  the  city,  out  into  the  country  to  the  Union  Race 
Course  at  Jamaica,  a  distance  of  eight  or  nine  miles, 
where  a  rendezvous  had  been  established  for  troops 
assigned  to  the  Banks  expedition,  known  as  Camp  Banks, 
and  commanded  by  Col.  Thomas  E.  Chickering  of  the 
41st  Massachusetts.  The  weather  was  raw  and  chilly. 


10  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

The  boys,  unaccustomed  to  long  marches  and  weighed 
down  as  they  were  with  blankets  and  heavily  packed 
knapsacks,  had  a  hard  and  tedious  day  until  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon,  when  they  reached  camp,  stacked  arms 
and  doffed  equipments.  Tents  were  soon  furnished  and 
pitched,  neighboring  fences  demolished  for  floors,  hay 
procured,  and  before  dark  the  regiment  had  established 
for  itself  comparatively  comfortable  quarters.  With  what 
ravenous  appetites  the  rations  of  coffee,  bread  and  ham 
were  devoured  that  evening!  After  getting  settled  and 
looking  about  the  camp  we  find  our  old  Boxford  acquaint 
ances  of  the  41st  Regiment.  Among  other  troops  also 
were  the  42d  and  52d  Massachusetts  Regiments,  the  15th 
and  16th  New  Hampshire,  the  161st  New  York,  five  regi 
ments  from  Connecticut  and  two  batteries,  all  awaiting 
orders  to  sail  in  the  Banks  expedition. 

The  hotel  accommodations  were  rather  limited  that 
night.  In  many  cases  six  men  were  assigned  to  one 
room  in  a  small  tent,  and  there  was  no  place  to  hang 
up  clothes  and  put  away  trunks.  In  fact,  after  dividing 
the  camp  crosswise  into  six  equal  parts,  there  was  not 
left  the  fractional  part  of  an  inch  for  a  back  rest,  and  so 
every  man  had  to  lie  on  his  side  and,  at  intervals  during 
the  night  when  a  changed  position  was  desired,  the  com 
mand  rang  out  "right  about  face,"  requiring  movements 
perhaps  giving  evidence  of  military  discipline,  but  not 
always  conducive  to  a  sweet  temper.  "If  Uncle  Sam 
had  happened  along  the  next  morning  there  would  have 
been  some  plain  talk." 

Sunday,  November  23.  *"  To-day  we  perfected  our 
tent  arrangements  by  confiscating  board  fences  and 
appropriating  them  to  our  necessities.  The  first  thought 
of  a  good  soldier  is  to  have  a  floor  to  his  tent." 

"The  commissary  not  providing  a  sufficient  quantity 
of  straw  for  beds,  we  were  obliged  to  draw  on  a  farmer 
in  the  vicinity.  He  had  not  threshed  it  and  we  could 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  11 

not  very  well  oblige  him  to  do  so,  therefore  took  it  as  it 
was.  When  we  left  we  did  not  take  the  straw  with  us, 
and  he  probably  got  his  own  again. " 

November  24,  25  and  26.  "On  regular  camp  duty 
each  day.  The  parties  who  contracted  to  victual  the 
forces  in  this  vicinity  (which  numbers  not  far  from 
20,000  men)  are  evidently  more  anxious  to  fill  their  own 
pockets  than  they  are  the  stomachs  of  the  soldiers,  but 
during  this  time  we  had  found  a  remedy  by  taking  the 
matter  into  our  own  hands." 

*  "  A  few  irregularities,  such  as  sending  several  squads 
for  our  daily  rations,   and,  while  waiting,   reaching  for 
cheese,   pies  and    crockery-ware    and  anything  not  our 
own,  soon  brought  the  high  contracting  parties  to  terms: 
our  camp  cooks  are  overrun  with  soft  bread  and  bacon 
and  we  soon  can  open  a  boarding  house." 

November  27.  Thanksgiving.  This  is  a  day  of  pleas 
ant  memories  to  every  son  of  New  England,  and  most 
of  us  long  for  the  good  old-time  turkey  of  our  boyhood. 
Some  have  received  well-filled  boxes  from  home,  a  few 
dine  at  Snedecker's  Hotel,  and  others  get  through  the 
lines  and  go  to  New  York.  It  is  almost  impossible  to 
obtain  a  pass,  but  if  we  return  to  quarters  our  absence 
is  overlooked  and  no  questions  asked.  The  city  theaters 
were  well  patronized  that  evening  by  recruits  from  Camp 
Banks,  who  came  straggling  back  from  midnight  to  noon 
of  the  next  day.  How  exquisite  sometimes  a  stolen 
pleasure,  and  what  superb  acting  was  that  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Barney  Williams,  the  Irish  comedians,  at  Winter 
Garden ! 

The  soldiers  are  gradually  leaving  for  the  South.  On 
the  27th  and  28th  several  regiments  depart  from  New 
York  to  embark  on  transports.  Among  them,  Companies 
A,  K,  E  and  I  of  the  50th,  under  Captain  Putnam,  are 
ordered  to  the  city  and  are  quartered  at  the  Park  Bar 
racks.  On  the  29th  these  companies  were  taken  down 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


12  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

stream  on  a  tug  to  the  transport  Illinois,  which  they  were 
to  board,  but  the  steamer  was  so  loaded  down  with 
troops  and  supplies  they  returned  to  the  city,  till  other 
accommodations  could  be  provided. 

"  New  York,  Sunday,  Nov.  30,  1862.  Some  of  the  boys 
who  had  come  from  New  York  made  another  visit  to 
Central  Park.  We  examined  every  nook  and  corner  of 
the  whole  Park.  We  attended  church  in  the  evening, 
at  a  place  called  a  German  beer-garden.  It  was  not 
much  like  our  New  England  churches,  and  the  services 
were  conducted  wholly  unlike  Sunday-evening  meetings 
at  home.  The  choir  was  composed  of  several  instru 
mental  performers  who  didn't  play  'Old  Hundred'  and 
'Homeward  Bound/  but  the  music  was  more  of  the 
lively.  The  speakers  were  as  numerous  as  the  audience, 
and  there  was  not  a  dry  one  among  them  all.  They 
never  could  say  at  that  meeting,  'It  is  dull  as  Sunday.'" 

December  1.  Company  I  sailed  from  New  York  in 
advance  of  the  other  companies  of  the  regiment  on  the 
steamer  New  Brunswick,  and  arrived  at  Baton  Rouge, 
La.,  December  16.  Companies  A,  K  and  E  remained 
at  Park  Barracks  until  December  10,  when  they  em 
barked  on  the  Jersey  Blue  under  Captain  Putnam. 
The  experience  of  these  companies  from  this  time  until 
they  rejoined  the  rest  of  the  regiment  at  Baton  Rouge 
will  be  given  in  another  chapter  as  recorded  in  the  diary 
of  Sergeant  Nelson  of  Company  K. 

*"  December  3,  4,  5  and  6.  During  these  four  days 
those  of  us  who  came  from  Camp  Banks  have  reveled  in 
New  York  scenes.  Some  spent  the  time  at  Trinity 
Church,  whose  wide  doors  stood  open  through  the  day. 
From  the  summit  of  the  tower  the  view  is  grand  beyond 
expression.  Broadway,  from  the  Battery  up  to  Grace 
Church  and  beyond,  is  filled  with  teeming  thousands. 
North  and  East  Rivers  are  covered  with  steamers  of 
every  description.  Staten  Island,  Jersey  City  and  Brook- 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  13 

lyn  are  distinctly  visible  to  the  naked  eye.  So  much  to 
see,  one  is  perfectly  lost  in  wonder  at  the  vastness  of  the 
city.  Harper's  publishing  establishment  came  in  for  a 
share  of  investigation.  The  gentleman  in  charge  wel 
comed  us  with  a  cordiality  like  that  of  an  old-time  friend, 
conducting  us  over  the  entire  building,  and  explaining  to 
us  the  process  of  book-making.  We  left  with  the  firm 
conviction  that  the  'blue'  stands  as  well  in  New  York 
as  in  Massachusetts,  to  say  the  least. 

"  Sunday,  December  7.  Several  of  us  attended  Plym 
outh  Church  morning  and  evening.  It  is  not  surprising 
that  every  one  goes  there;  everything  is  full  to  overflow 
ing.  The  way  and  manner  of  taking  in  strangers,  the 
arrangement  of  seating  the  audience,  the  singing  of  the 
powerful  choir  assisted  by  the  congregation  —  and  they  all 
sing  because  they  can't  help  it  —  are  very  effective.  Then 
the  tunes  they  sing  and  the  hush  which  awaits  the  rise 
of  the  speaker,  and  the  speaker's  manner  and  matter  are 
so  interesting,  so  taking.  Of  Grace  Church  it  can  be  said 
it  is  very  stylish.  The  quartet  singing  was  enchanting. 
The  sermon  was  good,  but  many  seats  were  vacant,  and 
those  occupied  were  filled  with  very  well-dressed  people, 
and  the  audience  has  the  reputation  of  being  fashionable 
and  exclusive.  An  interesting  story  is  told  of  General 
Banks  in  connection  with  the  church.  As  the  story 
goes,  he  attended  church  one  day,  perhaps  looking  rather 
ordinary,  his  overcoat  covering  the  insignia  of  his  rank. 
An  usher  requested  him  to  vacate  his  seat  as  it  was 
engaged  by  a  lieutenant.  After  the  general  had  taken  a 
back  seat,  either  through  accident  or  design  he  allowed 
his  overcoat  to  fall  back,  exhibiting  the  stars  of  a  major 
general.  The  usher  was  overwhelmed  with  shame,  but 
no  argument  could  prevail  upon  the  general  to  again 
change  his  seat." 

Companies  B,  C,  D,  F  and  G  remained,  or  rather  were 
supposed  to  remain,  in  camp  till  December  12,  living  on 
army  rations,  drilling  and  doing  guard  duty,  but  as  a 


14  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

matter  of  fact  a  very  large  part  of  the  time  was  spent 
by  us  in  the  city  in  riotous  living.  On  Friday,  Decem 
ber  9,  we  experienced  a  severe  snowstorm,  followed  by 
clear,  cold  weather,  and  the  next  day  the  tide  began  to 
set  towards  New  York,  and  the  camp  was  pretty  gener 
ally  deserted  for  several  days.  On  the  12th  the  final 
order  was  issued  for  us  to  strike  tents  and  proceed  to 
Brooklyn  to  embark  for  the  South.  Some  of  the  good 
citizens  of  Brooklyn,  hucksters  and  dealers  in  fruits, 
exhibited  a  most  innocent  and  confiding  trust  on  that 
day,  as  they  left  barrels  of  apples  on  sidewalks  to  tempt 
the  ravenous  appetites  of  hungry  soldiers.  There  was  a 
forgetfulness  of  "meum"  and  "tuum." 

Expostulations  and  regrets  were  in  vain,  and  sad  to 
relate,  there  was  a  track  left  bare  and  desolate. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  15 


CHAPTER  II 

COMPANY  H  REFUSES  TO  GO  ON  THE  NIAGARA,  ON  WHICH 
COMPANIES  B,  C,  D,  F  AND  G  EMBARK  —  COMPANY  H 
SAILS  FROM  NEW  YORK  ON  THE  JENNY  LIND  —  THE 
NIAGARA  SPRINGS  ALEAK  AND  TAKES  FIRE  OFF  THE 
DELAWARE  BREAKWATER  AND  IS  TOWED  UP  THE 
DELAWARE  RIVER  TO  PHILADELPHIA  —  EXPERIENCE 


THE  transport  which  had  been  assigned  to  us  was 
the   steamer   Niagara,   a   miserable   and   weather- 
beaten  old  river  craft,  the  property  of  Commodore 
Vanderbilt,  likely  during  the  first  storm  to  go  to  the  bottom 
with  all  on  board.     The  captain  was  a  gnarled  and  surly 
specimen  of  the  typical  old  salt,  obstinate,  irascible  and 
pugnacious.     Five  of  the  companies  were  embarked,  but 
Company   H   refused   to   go   on   board,   recognizing   her 
dangerous  condition. 

As  it  is  desirable,  so  far  as  possible,  to  follow  the  differ 
ent  sections  of  the  regiment  from  the  time  they  were 
separated  in  New  York  and  Fortress  Monroe  till  they 
were  united  in  Louisiana,  here  is  inserted  the  account  of 
Company  H,  as  given  by  Corporal  Henry,  from  December 
12  till  his  company  reached  Philadelphia. 

"After  the  other  five  companies  had  embarked  Company 
H  was  ordered  on  board.  During  the  transfer,  the  nautical 
men,  of  whom  there  were  quite  a  number  in  Company  H, 
acting  upon  their  previous  knowledge  of  the  condition  and 
reputation  of  the  Niagara,  and  judging  from  her  appear 
ance,  after  receiving  the  five  companies  and  their  luggage 
on  board,  succeeded  in  imbuing  their  less  nautical  com 
rades  with  a  feeling  that  the  boat  was  already  over 
loaded  and  unsafe,  when  they,  as  a  company,  refused  to 
embark.  After  considerable  urging,  some  threatening 


16  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  a  short  conference  among  the  officers,  the  fasts  were 
ordered  cast  off,  and  we  steamed  over  to  the  Battery. 
Here  we  disembarked  and  marched  up  Broadway  to  the 
Park  Barracks,  where  the  more  timid  ones  passed  a  very 
anxious  night,  discussing  the  probable  outcome  of  the 
very  unusual  action  of  the  company. 

"At  nine  o'clock  on  the  following  morning  the  order 
was  given  to  pack  knapsacks  and  fall  into  line,  when  we 
were  marched  out  of  the  barracks  down  Broadway  to 
the  Battery,  on  board  of  the  tug,  and  very  shortly  found 
ourselves  once  more  alongside  the  Niagara,  when  the 
order  was  given  to  march  on  board.  As  before,  there 
was  no  satisfactory  response  to  the  order.  The  sober 
discussion  of  the  matter  during  the  previous  twenty- 
four  hours  had  only  strengthened  the  determination  of 
the  company  not  to  place  their  lives  in  jeopardy  to 
satisfy  the  greed  of  government  contractors.  Threats 
were  made  to  call  upon  Regular  troops  quartered  at  the 
forts  and  force  us  on  board,  but  to  no  avail.  After  a 
lengthy  conference  among  the  officers,  it  was  decided  to 
send  a  messenger  to  Commodore  Vanderbilt  who  char 
tered  the  Niagara  to  the  government,  and  have  him 
come  out  and  look  over  the  situation  before  resorting  to 
harsh  measures. 

"The  commodore  was  fortunately  within  reach  and 
immediately  responded.  After  viewing  and  discussing 
the  situation  very  pleasantly  with  the  more  resolute 
members  of  the  company,  he  decided  it  was  not  safe  to 
place  another  company  on  board,  which  decision  was  a 
great  relief  to  Company  H,  and  no  doubt  to  the  other 
companies  already  on  board.  Once  more  casting  off 
from  the  Niagara,  we  gave  three  hearty  cheers  for  the  old 
commodore,  steamed  back  to  the  Battery,  disembarked, 
and  again  marched  up  Broadway  to  the  Park  Barracks. 
In  due  time  the  Niagara  sailed,  and  her  experience 
can  be  better  detailed  by  members  of  Companies  B,  C, 
D,  F  and  G,  and  the  officers  accompanying  them. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  17 

"On  arrival  of  the  Niagara  at  Philadelphia,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Locke  immediately  left  for  New  York  on  busi 
ness  connected  with  the  expedition  and  called  on  us  at 
the  Park  Barracks.  He  was  enthusiastic  over  the  action 
of  Company  H,  but  was  too  good  a  disciplinarian  not  to 
realize  the  serious  breach  of  discipline,  and  although  he 
acknowledged  the  stand  taken  by  the  company  had  un 
doubtedly  saved  the  lives  of  six  hundred  men,  rather 
intimated  that  an  extended  vacation  for  the  company 
at  the  Dry  Tortugas  would  not  be  entirely  out  of  order. 
The  excitement  of  the  Niagara's  affair  over,  we  immedi 
ately  began  to  canvass  our  present  position.  We  had 
hoped  by  this  time  to  be  well  on  our  way  to  the  sunny 
South,  and  it  was  a  sore  disappointment  to  find  ourselves 
hived  up  within  the  barracks  and  Park  enclosure.  We 
were  not  made  of  that  material,  however,  which  remains 
long  cast  down,  so  at  once  began  to  look  for  ways  and 
means  to  break  the  monotony  of  our  enforced  inac 
tivity. 

"It  will  no  doubt  occur  to  the  reader  that  being  in  the 
metropolis  of  the  country,  it  would  not  be  difficult  to 
map  out  a  program  of  sufficient  interest  to  occupy  the 
time  for  several  days,  and  it  would  not  have  been  had 
we  been  ordinary  American  citizens  free  to  come  and  go 
as  we  pleased,  but  we  were  soldiers  sworn  into  the  mili 
tary  service  of  the  United  States,  and  bound  therefore 
to  obey  the  laws  governing  that  service,  one  of  which 
was  'obey  your  superior  officers.'  Orders  had  been 
issued  forbidding  our  leaving  the  barracks  without  per 
mission,  and  that  permission  was  extremely  difficult  to 
obtain.  But  we  had  disobeyed  orders  in  one  instance 
without  serious  consequences,  why  not  again? 

"In  our  first  transgression  the  end  justified  the  means. 
We  had  made  up  our  minds  to  take  the  chances  of  what 
ever  punishment  the  act  might  bring  upon  us,  feeling 
that  the  lives  of  six  hundred  men  were  of  more  value  than 
the  liberties  of  one  hundred.  Legally  we  were  wrong, 


18  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

but  morally  we  were  right.  But  we  were  unable  to  find 
any  justification  for  a  disobedience  of  orders,  simply  to 
gratify  our  own  desires,  however  harmless  those  desires 
might  be  to  the  service.  However,  we  were  pressed  from 
the  ranks  of  free  and  independent  civil  life,  impatient  of 
restraint,  and  the  temptation  finally  proved  too  much 
for  the  bolder  ones  who  were  soon  to  be  found  on  the 
streets,  at  first  only  a  short  distance  from  the  barracks 
or  at  the  nearest  stores,  but  soon  becoming  more  and 
more  daring,  they  finally  could  be  found  in  all  quarters 
of  the  city. 

"We  had  to  be  constantly  on  the  alert,  and  it  was 
almost  an  hourly  occurrence  for  some  one  to  come  rush 
ing  into  the  Park  after  a  long  chase  with  one  or  more  of 
the  provost  guard  close  at  his  heels.  Very  rarely,  if 
ever,  did  they  follow  us  inside  the  enclosure.  Whether 
it  was  because  their  duty  did  not  require  it,  or  whether 
they  had  a  wholesome  fear  of  consequences,  we  never 
knew,  but  they  generally  remained  outside  long  enough 
to  have  thrown  at  them  over  the  Park  fence  remarks  and 
gesticulations  of  such  a  character  as  not  to  lessen  their 
vigilance  in  the  slightest  degree  in  preventing  us  upon 
future  occasions  from  enjoying  the  fruits  of  stolen  liberty. 
In  a  few  days  we  had  succeeded,  very  much  against  our 
interests  and  desires,  in  stimulating  them  to  a  commend 
able  activity  in  the  line  of  their  duty,  which  furnished  us 
with  amusing  and  not  a  few  disastrous  experiences. 

"We  remained  in  New  York  some  ten  days  when  we 
received  orders  to  proceed  on  board  the  bark  Jenny  Lind, 
which  had  been  fitted  up  for  us,  and  in  due  time  sailed 
for  Philadelphia,  where,  after  a  very  pleasant  and  enjoy 
able  passage,  we  arrived  on  the  1st  day  of  January,  1863, 
and  joined  the  companies  from  whom  we  had  been  sepa 
rated  in  New  York." 

Returning  now  to  the  five  companies  that  embarked 
on  the  Niagara,  we  will  follow  them  in  their  experience 
for  the  next  few  weeks.  The  boat  was  crowded,  and  a 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  19 

general  distrust  as  to  her  seaworthiness  prevailed  among 
the  troops  that  remained.  Everything  was  confusion; 
no  well-organized  commissariat.  The  men  bunked  wher 
ever  they  could  find  a  spot,  and  devoured  the  scanty  and 
irregular  rations  that  they  were  able  to  get.  Growling 
soon  came  to  be  a  chronic  complaint;  and  it  always 
seemed  as  if  those  growled  loudest  and  longest  who  had 
sacrificed  in  their  change  of  life  the  least. 

If  you  ever  found  a  man  who  had  come  into  camp 
filthy  and  unkempt,  who  had  exchanged  his  seedy  and 
ragged  suit  for  the  comfortable  uniform  of  Uncle  Sam, 
who  had  been  underclothed  and  underfed  at  home,  you 
were  very  likely  to  find  one  who  made  the  most  exacting 
demands  on  the  government,  while  those  who  had  been 
better  born  and  better  nurtured  were  better  able  to 
realize  the  sacrifices  that  must  necessarily  be  endured, 
and  to  bear  with  equanimity  the  hardships  incident  to 
army  life.  The  best  soldiers  were  generally  young  men 
whose  habits  were  not  fixed,  and  who  could  more  easily 
adapt  themselves  to  changed  conditions.  Take  a  per 
son  of  middle  age  who  had  very  likely  been  an  estimable 
citizen  at  home,  he  was  apt  to  fret  and  pine  under  hard 
ships  and  privations  to  which  he  was  not  accustomed. 
And  then  if  a  man  was  selfish  and  greedy  he  was  always 
sure  to  make  an  exhibition  of  himself  in  the  army.  It 
was  a  fertile  field  in  which  to  cultivate  the  best  and  worst 
traits  of  character. 

Remaining  on  board  Friday  night  and  the  next  day 
and  getting  settled  as  best  we  could,  at  two  o'clock  on 
the  afternoon  of  Saturday,  December  13,  the  ropes  were 
cast  loose  and  the  Niagara  proceeded  down  the  bay 
under  sealed  orders.  As  night  came  on  it  was  a  new  and 
delightful  sensation  to  some  of  us  to  stand  on  deck,  look 
out  on  the  water  and  watch  the  phosphorescent  light  as 
the  ship  plowed  through  the  waves  on  her  onward  course. 
We  turned  in,  or  rather  turned  down,  with  pleasing  anti 
cipations  of  a  prosperous  and  interesting  voyage. 


20  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

On  Sunday  morning  the  sun  rose  over  a  smooth  sea, 
the  weather  was  warm  and  pleasant,  but  the  tranquillity 
without  was  lost  in  the  commotion  and  excitement 
within,  for  the  ancient  craft  caught  fire  and  sprang 
aleak.  The  fire  was  extinguished,  but  the  leak  caused 
her  to  incline  to  the  larboard,  and  to  right  her  the  men 
were  moved  to  the  starboard.  These  mishaps  were  seri 
ous  enough,  but  to  cap  the  climax  the  machinery  gave 
out  off  Cape  May,  and  the  only  course  left  was  to  put  in 
to  Delaware  Breakwater,  where  we  cast  anchor  about 
ten  A.M.  off  Lewes,  near  Cape  Henlopen. 

The  air  was  balmy  as  on  an  autumnal  day,  and  it 
began  to  look  as  if  our  nine  months'  service  was  pretty 
largely  to  consist  in  visiting  the  great  cities  of  the  nation 
and  making  ourselves  familiar  with  the  geography  of  the 
country,  for  the  officers  held  a  solemn  council  and  de 
cided  that  the  craft  was  unseaworthy,  and  that  we  must 
put  into  the  nearest  port,  and  that  port  was  Philadel 
phia.  A  pilot  was  taken  aboard,  and  the  next  morning 
at  half  past  five  o'clock  the  anchor  was  hauled  up  and 
we  steamed  up  the  river,  rather  Delaware  Bay,  for  at  its 
mouth  the  river  broadens  into  an  arm  of  the  sea. 

What  a  delightful  day  that  was,  spent  on  deck  sailing 
up  between  the  shores  of  Delaware  and  New  Jersey,  the 
former  much  more  attractive  in  appearance,  however, 
than  the  latter!  It  was  almost  impossible  to  realize  that 
this  was  the  middle  of  December,  as  we  looked  over  the 
neat  and  well-tilled  farms,  and  saw  green  grass,  and  cattle 
feeding  in  the  pastures.  The  weather  was  like  that  of 
many  a  New  England  day  in  May  or  June,  but  as  we  pro 
ceeded  up  the  river  it  grew  colder,  and  in  Pennsylvania 
snow  was  observed  upon  the  river  banks.  In  the  pass 
ing  panorama  there  was  a  pleasing  variety  of  city  and 
country,  for  the  pastoral  beauty  of  fertile  farms  and 
scattered  hamlets  was  interspersed  with  such  towns  as 
New  Castle,  Wilmington  and  Chester. 

After  a  long  and  interesting  day  brightened  with  de- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  21 

lightful  anticipations  of  Philadelphia,  we  came  to  anchor 
off  the  city  at  five  P.M.,  but  alas,  our  hopes  for  a  season 
met  with  bitter  disappointment.  From  Monday  until 
Saturday  the  men  were  kept  on  board  the  boat,  leading 
a  cheerless  and  monotonous  life,  with  cold,  damp  and 
disagreeable  weather,  many  of  the  boys  catching  cold 
and  going  on  the  sick  list.  But  on  Saturday,  December 
20,  the  welcome  order  was  given  to  pack  knapsacks  and 
disembark. 

The  companies  were  marched  to  comfortable  barracks 
on  Swanson  Street  near  the  wharf,  where  we  remained 
during  our  stay,  being  furnished  with  meals  from  the 
Union  and  Cooper  refreshment  saloons  near  by,  where 
we  received  every  attention  and  the  most  generous  hos 
pitality. 

Connected  with  these  saloons  was  a  hospital  and  an 
ample  room  where  facilities  were  furnished  for  reading 
and  writing.  Words  can  hardly  express  the  kindness 
lavished  upon  the  soldiers  by  the  people  of  this  patriotic 
city  during  the  war.  The  hospitalities  of  the  citizens 
were  extended  to  us,  and  the  doors  of  public  entertain 
ment  and  amusement  were  thrown  open.  The  men  were 
often  invited  to  church,  and  in  many  instances  were 
urged  by  the  large-hearted  people  to  accompany  them 
home  and  dine  at  the  family  board.  Whether  it  was 
because  they  were  nearer  the  seat  of  war,  and  more  fully 
appreciated  the  danger  of  an  invasion  by  a  rebel  army, 
or  whether  naturally  they  were  warmer-hearted  and  more 
demonstrative  than  the  descendants  of  Puritan  New 
England,  it  is  certain  that  we  were  treated  with  a  cor 
diality  and  generosity  which  left  a  lasting  impression  on 
every  member  of  the  50th  Regiment  who  passed  a  few 
weeks  among  the  pleasantest  of  his  life  in  the  city  so 
aptly  called  "The  City  of  Brotherly  Love." 

On  occasions  as  at  Christmas  and  New- Year's  Day, 
elegant  and  cultured  ladies  took  possession  of  the  refresh 
ment  rooms  where  we  dined,  and  served  to  us  the  deli- 


22  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

cacies  of  a  holiday  dinner.  Whenever  we  chanced  about 
the  city,  every  one  had  for  us  a  kind  word,  and  was  ready 
to  show  us  every  attention.  The  Union  and  Cooper 
saloons,  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  had  rather 
an  interesting  history.  They  were  supported  by  private 
contributions,  with  the  outgrowth  from  small  beginnings 
of  the  efforts  of  an  old  gentleman  named  Brown.  Troops 
in  passing  through  the  city  were  accustomed  to  make 
halts  of  greater  or  less  length,  and  any  refreshments  were 
sought  for  with  the  keenest  avidity  by  the  hungry  sol 
diers,  and  so  the  good  man  used  to  seize  a  coffeepot,  a 
plate  of  biscuits,  and  anything  else  he  might  have  from 
his  own  table,  and  distribute  so  far  as  they  went  among 
the  boys.  The  next  step  was  to  get  a  large  kettle  on  the 
street  where  he  boiled  coffee.  Afterwards  others,  follow 
ing  his  example,  contributed  more,  and  so  from  this  little 
start  there  grew  up  two  great  saloons  with  accommoda 
tions  ample  to  feed  a  regiment  day  and  night. 

The  Cooper  saloon  was  so  called  because  it  had  for 
merly  been  a  cooper  shop.  So  ready  were  people  to 
give,  that  on  one  occasion  while  we  were  there,  Mr. 
Brown  had  been  out  to  solicit  contributions  of  coal,  and 
reported  that  forty-two  tons  had  been  offered  him, 
enough  to  run  the  rooms  for  two  years.  Let  the  name 
of  this  worthy  citizen  be  held  in  grateful  remembrance 
for  his  patriotic  and  kindly  service.  In  spirit  at  least 
he  was  a  descendant  of  William  Penn. 

We  remained  in  Philadelphia  from  December  20  until 
January  7,  doing  a  limited  amount  of  drilling  and  an 
unlimited  amount  of  sight-seeing.  The  festivities  that 
accompanied  the  holidays  here  forty  years  ago  were  far 
greater  than  in  New  England  at  that  time.  Who  of  the 
boys  that  were  on  the  streets  the  night  before  Christmas 
will  ever  forget  the  hilarity  and  enthusiasm  that  every 
where  prevailed?  It  reminded  one  of  young  America's 
celebration  of  the  Fourth  of  July  at  home. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  23 


CHAPTER  III 

COMPANIES  B,  C,  D,  F,  G  AND  H  SAIL  FROM  PHILADELPHIA 
ON  THE  JENNY  LIND,  PUTTING  IN  AT  FORTRESS  MON 
ROE  —  THE  VOYAGE  AND  SAIL  UP  THE  RIVER  TO  NEW 
ORLEANS  AND  BATON  ROUGE 

ON  December  31  the  transport  Jenny  Lind  arrived 
from  New  York,  with  Company  H  on  board.  She 
had  been  chartered  to  take  the  place  of  the  Niagara, 
and  the  few  days  remaining  to  us  in  Philadelphia  were 
largely  devoted  to  the  loading  of  stores  and  making  prepara 
tions  for  the  continuance  of  our  voyage.  She  was  a  sailing 
vessel  fitted  up  with  bunks  between  decks  for  the  accom 
modation  of  the  men,  the  after  part  under  the  cabin  being 
reserved  for  the  hospital.  Captain  West  of  the  Niagara 
refused  to  give  up  the  supplies,  and  he  only  yielded  when 
a  detail  of  six  men  from  each  company  went  on  board 
and  enforced  the  order  for  their  removal. 

On  January  7  all  were  ordered  to  be  on  board  at  ten 
A.M.,  but  it  was  two  o'clock  before  the  Jenny  Lind  left 
the  wharf  in  tow  of  a  tugboat  which  took  the  vessel 
down  to  the  bay.  Our  departure  from  Philadelphia  was 
accompanied  with  waving  of  flags  and  the  firing  of 
salutes.  On  the  ship  were  Companies  B,  C,  D,  F,  G  and 
H,  between  five  and  six  hundred  men,  packed  like  cattle 
between  decks,  four  in  a  bunk,  the  cabins  being  reserved 
for  regimental  company  and  staff  officers.  The  berths 
were  built  one  above  the  other,  so  close  together  that  we 
could  only  crawl  in  and  lie  down,  but  could  not  sit  up, 
and  the  close  air,  reeking  with  the  exhalations  from  so 
many  bodies,  became  fetid  and  noxious,  and  a  little  later 
when  the  motion  of  the  vessel  and  the  nauseous  atmos 
phere  produced  general  seasickness,  there  was  presented 


24  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

a  loathsome  and  filthy  picture  never  to  be  forgotten. 
The  experience  of  those  few  days  from  Philadelphia  to 
Fortress  Monroe  can  be  recalled  only  with  a  shudder  of 
disgust. 

The  tug  left  us  Thursday  morning,  January  8,  and 
during  most  of  the  time  Thursday,  Friday  and  Saturday 
we  lay  at  anchor  buffeted  by  head  winds.  A  few  refresh 
ing  whiffs  on  deck  would  occasionally  revive  us,  and  then 
the  cold  and  searching  blast  would  drive  us  below,  so  we 
came  to  know  what  it  meant  to  be  "between  the  devil 
and  the  deep  sea."  Saturday  night,  wild  and  stormy, 
found  us  within  a  few  miles  of  the  mouth  of  the  bay. 
The  wind  howled  through  the  rigging.  There  was  an 
angry  sea,  and  the  monotones  of  the  sailors,  as  they 
hauled  the  ropes  and  braced  the  yards,  reverberated 
through  the  ship  like  weird  music.  Sunday,  January  11, 
dropping  the  pilot,  we  passed  the  breakwater  and  put 
out  to  sea,  and  with  a  good  breeze  our  course  lay  along 
the  coast  of  Delaware  and  Maryland  until  dark.  During 
the  night  the  wind  blew  almost  a  gale.  Monday  morn 
ing  Cape  Charles  appeared  in  the  distance  and  gradually 
we  rounded  into  Chesapeake  Bay,  dropping  anchor  near 
Fortress  Monroe  about  five  P.M.,  Tuesday,  January  15. 

The  air  was  warm  and  balmy,  an  agreeable  contrast 
to  the  weather  of  the  last  two  days.  Near  by  loomed  up 
the  grim  walls  of  the  fort;  about  us  lay  a  fleet  of  trans 
ports  loaded  with  troops,  and  in  the  distance  was  the 
town  of  Hampton  and  Hampton  Roads,  where  were 
sunk  on  the  8th  of  March  the  Congress  and  Cumberland, 
and  where  on  the  next  day  was  fought  the  contest  be 
tween  the  Monitor  and  the  Merrimac.  It  was  a  gay  and 
lively  scene;  vessels  loaded  with  soldiers;  boats  plying 
between  ship  and  shore;  and  the  stars  and  stripes  float 
ing  to  the  breeze  in  all  directions. 

But  notwithstanding  the  present  surroundings,  the 
murmurs  of  discontent  which  had  been  heard  since  leav 
ing  Philadelphia  were  ripening  into  loud  imprecations 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  25 

and  almost  open  revolt  at  the  poor  and  meagre  rations 
and  bad  treatment  to  which  we  had  been  subjected. 
The  rations  had  consisted  principally  of  unpalatable 
coffee,  poor  hard  bread  and  miserable  beef,  poetically 
called  "salt  horse."  When  this  bill  of  fare  is  regularly 
served  up  day  after  day,  it  becomes  in  time  rather 
monotonous.  Then  the  reflection  that  the  ship  was 
cruelly  overcrowded  and  that  the  accommodations  for 
cooking  were  utterly  inadequate  had  no  tendency  to 
soothe  the  irritation  of  the  men.  There  had  been  gross 
blundering  somewhere.  Whether  the  fault  lay  at  the 
door  of  the  quartermaster,  the  colonel,  the  surgeon  or 
unscrupulous  contractors,  the  complaints  of  the  men 
reached  the  officers,  so  in  the  evening  the  lieutenant 
colonel,  major,  surgeon  and  other  officers  took  possession 
of  the  galley  and  proved  themselves  very  efficient  cooks. 
These  may  seem  like  small  and  rather  insignificant 
matters  to  lay  before  the  reader,  but  the  real  value  of  a 
regimental  history  consists  in  drawing  a  picture  true  to 
life;  in  presenting  men  as  they  are,  and  not  in  painting 
an  heroic  elevation  of  character  which  rarely  if  ever 
exists  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances.  The 
best  of  men  have  their  limitations,  and  heroic  qualities 
are  usually  exhibited  only  on  great  occasions.  The  man 
who  may  growl  over  a  poor  dinner  will  often  meet  a 
glorious  death  with  a  patriotism  and  courage  that  stamp 
his  name  upon  the  memory  of  a  grateful  nation.  We 
admire  BoswelPs  "Life  of  Johnson'7  because  he  drew  a 
portrait  exhibiting  all  the  strength  and  weakness  of  the 
man. 

An  inspector  came  on  board  from  the  fortress  and  con 
demned  packing  so  many  men  into  the  ship,  and  so 
Companies  B,  D  and  F  were  transferred  from  the  Jenny 
Lind  to  the  Montebello,  whose  experience  from  Fortress 
Monroe  to  Baton  Rouge  will  be  given  in  a  subsequent 
chapter.  Only  Companies  C,  G  and  H  were  left,  whose 
voyage  will  first  be  followed,  and  the  threads  of  the  other 


26  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

companies  taken  up,  till  the  reunion  of  the  entire  regi 
ment  in  Louisiana.  Released  of  three  companies,  a  new 
allotment  was  made  of  the  berths,  and  the  men  settled 
down  for  the  remainder  of  the  voyage  to  comparative 
comfort. 

Ship  Jenny  Lind,  from  Fortress  Monroe  to  New  Orleans. 

Saturday,  January  17, 1863.  At  two  P.M.  got  under  way 
and  proceeded  out  to  sea.  Wind  N.W.,  cloudy. 

Sunday,  January  18.     Strong  gale  from  N.W.,  cloudy. 

Monday,  January  19.  Heavy  gale  from  N.W.,  and 
tremendous  sea  running. 

Tuesday,  January  20.  Heavy  gale  from  N.E.,  and 
frequent  squalls.  Heavy  sea  tossing  the  ship  to  and  fro. 

Wednesday,  January  21.  Strong  gale  from  the  S. 
and  much  rain.  Indicates  a  violent  storm. 

Thursday,  January  22.  Heavy  gale  from  the  N.W. 
Heavy  sea  on.  The  ship  laboring  hard. 

Friday,  January  23.  Heavy  gale  from  the  N.  A 
general  uneasiness  amongst  the  troops.  At  eleven  P.M. 
made  the  Hole  in  the  Wall.  Light  ahead  which  is  on  the 
island  of  Abaco  near  Nassau,  New  Providence. 

Saturday,  January  24.  Fresh  breeze  from  N.W.  Saw 
a  group  of  islands  called  the  Bahama  Islands. 

Sunday,  January  25.  Fresh  breeze  and  pleasant 
weather.  At  four  P.M.  passed  Great  Isaac  Lighthouse.  At 
seven  P.M.  passed  Gun  Cay  Light,  N.W.  end  of  Great 
Bahama  banks. 

Monday,  January  26.  Fresh  breezes  from  the  east. 
Very  pleasant,  all  sail  set.  Every  one  happy  and  enjoy 
ing  the  warm  sun  of  the  south. 

Tuesday,  January  27.  Pleasant  weather.  All  sail  set 
to  the  best  advantage.  So  warm  that  the  boys  sleep  on 
deck.  At  eleven  P.M.  saw  the  Tortugas  Light,  sixty  miles 
west  of  Key  West. 

Wednesday,  January  28.  First  part  of  the  day  fine. 
Middle  and  latter  part  violent  storm,  attended  by  thunder 
and  lightning. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  27 

Thursday,  January  29.  The  gale  increases.  Ship 
under  very  little  sail,  rolling  and  pitching.  Many  of 
the  men  tumbling  out  of  their  bunks,  and  some  of  the 
bunks  broken  down. 

Friday,  January  30.  Light  breezes  and  variable.  Sails 
in  sight. 

Saturday,  January  31.  Moderate  breeze  from  the  east. 
Pleasant  and  all  sail  set.  Boys  in  good  spirits. 

Wednesday,  February  4.  A  favorable  breeze  this 
morning  brought  us  in  sight  of  land  at  the  mouth  of  the 
Southwest  Pass  of  the  Mississippi,  about  nine  o'clock. 
The  Illinois,  loaded  with  troops,  lay  aground  near  us. 
The  anchor  was  dropped  at  noon,  and  again  weighed  at 
four  P.M.,  when  the  Jenny  Lind  proceeded  up  the  river  as 
far  as  Pilot  Town  just  in  time  to  escape  the  force  of  a 
severe  storm  of  wind  and  rain.  With  mingled  pleasure, 
gratitude  and  anticipation  we  espied  in  the  distance  the 
low  marshy  flats  thrown  up  by  the  "Father  of  Waters," 
as  he  rushes  onward  into  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

Pilot  Town,  a  collection  of  dilapidated  shanties  just 
rising  out  of  the  soft  ooze,  presented  a  most  alluring  pic 
ture  to  the  men,  who  for  weeks  had  witnessed  day  after 
day  only  the  dreary  waste  of  ocean.  With  what  longing 
were  eager  eyes  stretched  toward  land!  The  delta  of  the 
Mississippi  is  being  gradually  formed  by  the  earth  brought 
down  from  above,  and  deposited  at  its  mouth,  continually 
changing  in  its  outline  by  the  ever-changing  current. 
Geologically  speaking  it  is  but  a  brief  time  since  the 
lower  part  of  Louisiana  was  embraced  within  the  gulf. 
The  land  is  at  present  so  low  near  the  outlet  that  it  is 
hardly  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  and  hence  arises  the 
necessity  of  levees  along  the  banks  to  restrain  the  river 
at  high  water. 

There  are  few  localities  where  a  person  will  notice  a 
greater  change  in  the  aspect  of  the  country  than  in  sail 
ing  up  from  the  Southwest  Pass  to  New  Orleans.  At 
first  one  sees  the  rude  huts  of  fishermen  and  the  hovels 


28  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

of  poor  whites,  down  to  the  very  water's  level,  in  the 
midst  of  coarse,  rank  reeds,  and  the  abode  of  alligators, 
lizards  and  other  reptiles.  There  is  no  appearance  of 
cultivated  land,  or  to  speak  more  properly,  there  seems 
to  be  no  land  to  cultivate,  with  an  absence  of  all  energy 
and  thrift.  At  least  such  was  the  condition  of  the  coun 
try  in  1863.  As  you  proceed  up  the  river  a  gradual 
change  is  noticed.  The  ruinous  cabins  give  place  to 
more  comfortable  abodes.  A  little  tract  of  garden  is 
nourishing  with  tropical  luxuriance,  and  soon  a  few 
scattered  orange  trees  herald  the  approach  to  beautiful 
groves  a  little  farther  up.  By  the  time  Forts  St.  Philip 
and  Jackson  had  been  passed,  the  scenery  was  watched 
with  absorbing  interest,  especially  by  a  New  Englander, 
and  tenfold  more  so  if  he  was  fresh  from  the  severities 
of  a  northern  winter.  A  sudden  bend  in  the  river  reveals 
to  him  the  white  mansion  house  of  some  proud  old  Creole 
family, with  verandas  extending  around  from  either  story, 
the  house  itself  buried  perhaps  in  a  grove  of  luxuriant 
orange  trees,  weighed  down  with  ripe  yellow  fruit. 

Perchance  there  are  only  enchanting  glimpses  of  the 
roof  and  white  chimneys  peeping  out  from  the  green 
foliage.  A  tasty  fence  or  well-trimmed  hedge  runs  along 
parallel  with  the  river.  On  the  bank  is  constructed  a 
cool  summer-house  as  attractive  in  this  climate  in  Febru 
ary  as  in  midsummer  at  home.  At  a  little  distance  from 
the  plantation  house  are  scattered  rows  of  negro  cabins, 
each  surrounded  with  a  garden  patch,  with  orange  trees 
scattered  here  and  there.  Occasionally  there  is  dis 
played  about  the  cabin  a  good  deal  of  taste,  indicating  a 
degree  of  refinement  among  the  blacks.  You  notice  the 
ample  sugar  house  or  tobacco  factory,  with  various  and 
extensive  outbuildings,  which  make  up  quite  a  hamlet. 
Out  in  the  fields  the  negroes  are  at  work,  male  and  fe 
male  together.  Jolly  darkies  are  whipping  up  the  mules 
at  double  quick.  Overseers  shouting,  wheels  rattling, 
drivers  grinning,  and  field  hands  working,  present  an 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  29 

interesting  and  busy  spectacle.  The  little  children  of 
the  master  and  black  pickaninnies  play  side  by  side  on 
an  equality,  regardless  of  the  difference  of  station  which 
will  by  and  by  develop  itself. 

As  you  admire  the  cultivation  and  thrift  shown  on  this 
plantation,  and  the  considerate  kindness  that  apparently 
exists  between  master  and  slave,  the  situation  presents 
itself  in  its  fairest  guise.  The  transport,  towed  up  the 
river,  proceeds  on  its  course,  unrolling  to  view  a  constantly 
changing  panorama.  The  scene  just  described  melts 
away  in  the  distance,  and  presto,  what  a  change!  are 
you  still  in  the  same  country?  The  well-kept  grounds 
and  thrifty  plantations  which  have  just  passed  out  of 
sight  are  succeeded  by  fields  going  to  waste,  dilapidated 
fences,  and  unpainted  dreary  houses  black  with  age, 
cheerless  cabins  of  unhewn  logs  with  enormous  apertures 
between.  The  whole  place  is  covered  with  earmarks  of 
thriftlessness,  laziness  and  ignorance.  And  so  all  classes 
of  the  South  in  their  various  gradations,  from  the  wealthy, 
educated,  generous  planter  down  to  the  poor  miserable 
whites  who  have  only  enough  enterprise  to  exist,  are 
represented  along  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi. 

To  return  to  our  anchorage  near  Pilot  Town,  we  re 
mained  there  from  Thursday  to  Sunday,  waiting  for  a 
tug,  the  weather  cold  and  piercing,  a  great  change  from 
the  almost  tropical  climate  of  the  gulf. 

On  Friday,  February  6,  occurred  the  funeral  services 
over  the  body  of  Comrade  Parker  of  Company  G,  who 
had  died  the  previous  Wednesday,  and  was  buried  on  a 
small  island  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  This  was  the 
first  death  in  the  company  since  leaving  home,  but  was 
the  forerunner  of  many  more  which  afterwards  made 
sad  havoc  in  the  ranks  of  the  regiment. 

Saturday,  February  7,  the  Hartford,  Admiral  Farragut's 
flagship,  came  down  the  river  and  anchored  just  above 
us. 

Sunday,  February  8,  after  a  long  and  tedious  delay  the 


30  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

tugboat  St.  Charles  took  us  in  tow  with  two  other  craft 
about  eight  A.M.,  and  steamed  up  the  river  for  New  Orleans, 
reaching  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  about  dark  and 
anchoring  five  miles  above,  where  we  found  the  Monte- 
bello  with  varioloid  on  board,  and  a  mail  for  our  three 
companies. 

Monday,  February  9.  We  continued  on  up  the  river 
eagerly  watching  the  monotonous  but  ever-changing 
scenery,  beautiful  with  groves  of  oranges  and  sycamores. 
One  of  the  most  interesting  features  of  the  day  was  a 
boatload  of  oranges  which  came  alongside  and  found  a 
ready  market  among  men  who  for  weeks  had  lived  upon 
a  salt  diet.  The  delicious  flavor  of  that  fruit  is  still  a 
pleasant  memory  after  the  lapse  of  more  than  forty  years. 
This  may  seem  like  driveling  in  small  and  unimportant 
things,  but  let  the  reader  remember  that  this  is  not  the 
history  of  great  events  intended  for  the  general  public, 
but  the  recollection  of  commonplace,  everyday  incidents 
which  should  bring  back  in  fresh  retrospect,  to  those  of  us 
who  survive,  the  experiences  and  sensations  which  in 
many  cases  have  almost  faded  from  memory.  What 
primitive  customs  in  some  instances  still  prevailed,  as 
was  witnessed  in  the  threshing  of  grain  by  horses  or 
mules  treading  over  the  extended  sheaves! 

Tuesday,  February  10.  A  dense  fog  on  the  river  com 
pelled  us  to  anchor  a  little  after  midnight  till  morning, 
when  the  passage  was  resumed  and  the  city  of  New 
Orleans  reached  about  eleven  A.M.  We  passed  the  George 
Peabody  at  anchor  with  the  4th  Massachusetts  on  board. 
As  the  Jenny  Lind  sailed  by,  the  regimental  band  greeted 
us  with  national  and  patriotic  airs.  The  events  of  this 
day  stand  out  in  bold  relief.  Impatient  to  land  and  see 
the  sights  and  enjoy  the  attractions  of  the  "  Crescent 
City"  after  a  long,  tedious  confinement,  the  boys  were 
not  allowed  to  leave  the  ship,  but  there  was  an  outlook 
from  the  deck  of  absorbing  interest.  About  us  was  a 
busy  and  animated  scene.  Up  and  down  the  stream 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  31 

were  craft  of  every  kind  and  description;  boats  plying  in 
all  directions;  hucksters  alongside  vending  fruit  and 
pastry ;  gardens,  shubbery  and  green  foliage  on  the  shore, 
indicating  pleasant  homes  and  delightful  retreats.  Just 
opposite,  the  walls  of  a  nunnery  rose  above  the  trees,  and 
then  the  arrival  on  board  of  letters  from  home  was  hailed 
with  eager  delight.  The  atmosphere  was  that  of  a  sultry 
midsummer  day  in  the  North,  but  towards  evening  the 
sky  became  overcast,  accompanied  by  a  rapid  fall  of 
temperature. 

Wednesday,  February  11.  Another  large  arrival  of 
letters  and  papers  this  morning.  Everything  indicates 
great  military  activity.  Transports,  steamers  and  gun 
boats  line  the  river.  Just  above  us  a  mortar  fleet  lies 
at  anchor.  It  is  reported  that  we  are  at  once  to  proceed 
to  Baton  Rouge,  where  the  army  of  General  Banks  is 
concentrating.  The  transport  George  Peabody  and  Ad 
miral  Farragut's  flagship,  the  Hartford,  passed  up  the 
river  this  morning.  With  a  longing  desire  our  eyes  were 
again  turned  toward  the  city  to-day,  but  inexorable 
orders  still  confined  us  within  the  narrow  limits  of  the 
ship. 

Thursday,  February  12.  After  the  dreary  life  of  five 
weeks  aboard  the  Jenny  Lind  it  was  a  grateful  change  to 
be  transferred  with  our  stores  and  ammunition  to  the 
Iberville,  a  river  steamer  which  will  take  the  three  com 
panies  to  Baton  Rouge.  It  was  seven  o'clock  P.M.  before 
the  transfer  was  completed,  and  our  new  craft  steamed 
up  to  the  levee  where  she  lay  till  noon  of  the  next  day. 

Friday,  February  13.  Standing  on  the  deck  of  the 
steamer  and  watching  the  negroes  trundling  baggage  and 
freight  on  to  the  boat  was  a  continual  source  of  enter 
tainment.  Degrading,  unjust  and  cruel  as  is  the  system 
of  slavery,  no  people  could  be  more  joyous  and  light- 
hearted  than  the  erst-time  bondmen  of  Louisiana.  Many 
officers  take  passage  to  join  their  regiments  above.  The 
last  package  on  deck  and  the  last  passenger  on  board, 


32  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  bell  rings,  lines  are  cast  loose,  puffs  of  smoke  burst 
from  the  great  funnel,  the  wheels  revolve,  and  at  noon 
we  are  moving  away  from  the  shore,  cleaving  the  onrush- 
ing  current  and  steaming  on  our  course  up  towards  the 
future  scene  of  conflict. 

Although  the  plantations  along  the  banks  of  the  river 
were  more  or  less  cultivated  in  those  days  between  New 
Orleans  and  Baton  Rouge,  the  aspect  of  the  country 
was  far  different  then  from  now.  With  well-kept  build 
ings,  extensive  sugar  houses,  and  the  land  highly  culti 
vated,  it  presents  to-day  the  appearance  of  great  thrift 
and  prosperity.  To  a  person  sailing  between  the  exten 
sive  fields  of  sugar  cane  it  seems  almost  like  the  kaleido 
scopic  view  of  an  earthly  paradise.  Then  but  few  whites 
were  to  be  seen  along  the  shores,  almost  the  entire  popu 
lation  in  view  being  colored;  but  at  every  landing  the 
darkies  afforded  infinite  entertainment  with  their  gro 
tesque  humor  and  fantastic  antics,  which  furnished  per 
petual  amusement.  With  the  simplicity  of  children  they 
were  natural  comedians.  The  Iberville,  which  was  said 
to  be  the  fastest  steamer  on  the  river,  was  branded  with 
the  marks  of  war  in  the  numerous  bullet  holes  which 
were  seen  in  her  woodwork. 

Saturday,  February  14.  The  fog  last  night  compelled 
us  to  again  haul  up  at  Donaldsonville,  where  several  regi 
ments  were  encamped,  and  it  was  seven  o'clock  in  the 
morning  before  we  got  under  way.  Donaldsonville  was 
once  the  capital  of  Louisiana,  but  it  possessed  a  most 
forlorn  appearance.  No  fine  buildings  were  to  be  seen 
from  the  river;  the  houses  generally  ruinous  and  un- 
painted,  the  entire  town  looking  as  if  it  had  gone  to  seed 
a  generation  ago.  Such  was  the  general  aspect  of  the 
buildings  that  were  seen  during  the  day.  The  country 
seemed  to  be  pretty  generally  abandoned  by  the  whites, 
almost  the  entire  population  being  colored.  The  draft 
upon  the  good  nature  of  one  who  cared  for  any  sleep 
last  night  was  rather  considerable,  and  the  man  who 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  33 

didn't  indulge  in  emphatic  words  could  never  be  sup 
posed  to  use  any  but  commonplace  language.  The  men 
were  stretched  in  every  conceivable  position  on  the 
freight,  upon  the  decks,  and  about  the  boat  trying  to  get 
a  little  rest.  Perhaps  it  would  be  more  correct  to  say 
that  every  other  man  was  engaged  in  this  laudable  pur 
suit,  and  it  seemed  as  if  almost  every  second  man,  either 
possessed  of  a  restless  activity  or  pure  cussedness,  spent 
the  night  in  one  ceaseless  round  of  travel,  which  griev 
ously  interfered  with  the  comfort  and  equanimity  of 
those  who  were  trying  to  sleep.  When  curled  up  in  an 
out-of-the-way  corner  half  asleep,  to  have  a  person  walk 
ing  over  you  and  prodding  you  with  his  feet  is  rather 
trying  to  the  nerves,  and  not  altogether  conducive  to  a 
spiritual  frame  of  mind  or  even  good  morals.  At  any 
rate  there  was  more  excusable  profanity  that  night  than 
was  ever  before  or  since  heard  in  the  same  length  of  time 
by  any  member  of  the  regiment.  But  annoyances  and 
discomforts  were  soon  forgotten  with  the  return  of  light 
and  objects  of  interest  which  constantly  absorbed  the 
attention. 

About  noon  we  came  abreast  of  the  Kepper  with  the 
31st  Massachusetts  Regiment,  having  got  aground  in  the 
fog  during  the  night,  and  unable  to  get  away  till  we 
hauled  her  off.  A  little  later  Plaquemine  was  reached 
on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  twenty  miles  below  Baton 
Rouge.  Here  were  three  or  four  steamers  with  the  31st 
and  38th  Massachusetts  Regiments  on  an  expedition  a 
few  miles  inland  to  a  place  called  Indiantown,  where 
a  brush  with  the  enemy  was  expected.  It  was  about 
one  P.M.  when  we  discerned  in  the  distance  the  Insane 
Asylum  and  the  ruins  of  the  Capitol  high  up  on  the  bluffs 
of  Baton  Rouge.  After  the  monotonous  scenery  of  a 
continuous  plain,  extending  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
where  the  land  was  generally  below  the  river  at  high 
water,  it  was  a  refreshing  change  to  see  once  more  a 
populous  town  looking  down  from  the  bluffs  twenty-five 


34  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

feet  high.  As  our  three  companies  disembarked  and 
marched  up  to  the  camp  ground  that  had  been  allotted 
to  the  regiment  near  the  penitentiary,  and  met  Com 
panies  B,  D,  F  and  I,  which  had  preceded  us,  and  lis 
tened  again  to  the  strains  of  music  from  the  band  which 
we  had  not  seen  since  December,  it  seemed  as  if  we  were 
once  more  among  friends  and  kindred. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  35 


CHAPTER  IV 

COMPANIES   B,    D   AND   F   SAIL  FROM   FORTRESS   MONROE   ON 
THE  MONTEBELLO  —  DIARY  OF  CORPL.  WILLIAM  H.  NASH 

y^OMPANIES  C,  G  and  H  having  reached  the  base  of 
\^  operations,  let  us  now  return  and  follow  the  other 
companies  in  their  various  experiences  after  the  regi 
ment  was  divided  till  it  was  all  reunited  at  Baton  Rouge. 
And  First  Corpl.  William  H.  Nash  of  Company  D  tells 
the  story  of  Companies  B,  D  and  F,  who  left  the  Jenny 
Lind  at  Fortress  Monroe  and  embarked  on  the  Monte- 
bello.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Locke  commanded  the  detach 
ment. 

"June  16,  1863.  The  Montebello  set  sail  from  Fortress 
Monroe  at  four  thirty  P.M. 

June  17.  With  a  fair  wind  we  round  Cape  Hatteras 
and  are  in  the  Gulf  Stream,  watching  schools  of  dolphins 
jumping  and  playing  in  the  water. 

January  19.     Supposed  to  be  off  the  coast  of  Florida. 

January  20.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  saw  land 
for  the  first  time,  a  barren  island  known  as  '  Hole  in  the 
Wall/  with  a  lighthouse  on  it.  Are  sailing  around  the 
Bahamas  into  the  gulf. 

January  23.     Passed  Tortugas  during  the  night. 

January  24.  We  are  becalmed  and  making  but  little 
progress.  It  is  a  beautiful  moonlight  night,  and  the 
Pleiades,  Great  Dipper  and  Orion  seem  like  old  friends 
looking  down  upon  us  as  in  the  days  of  our  boyhood. 

January  26.  It  is  a  quiet  Sabbath  morning,  and  the 
ship  with  sails  well  filled  is  plowing  the  waves  at  eight 
knots  an  hour.  In  the  afternoon  every  one  is  anxiously 
looking  for  land  and  hoping  to  reach  the  mouth  of  the 
river  before  sunset.  The  habits  of  the  New  England 


36  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

men  are  in  striking  contrast  to  those  of  the  New  York 
companies  on  board.  The  latter  amuse  themselves  with 
cards  and  poker,  while  the  men  from  Massachusetts, 
influenced  still  by  the  pious  traits  of  Puritan  ancestry, 
somewhat  observe  the  day  as  one  set  apart  for  holy 
things. 

January  26.  A  pilot  was  taken  with  the  expectation  of 
soon  entering  the  river,  but  the  pass  was  not  navigable, 
and  we  were  compelled  to  sail  thirty  miles  farther  to  the 
next  pass,  which  was  reached  at  noon,  but  delay  and  dis 
appointment  awaited  us,  for  the  weather  became  foggy 
and  rainy.  We  are  only  nine  days  and  fifteen  hours  from 
Fortress  Monroe.  This  is  said  to  be  a  very  quick  passage 
for  a  sailing  vessel.  The  New  York  card-players  who 
have  given  so  much  trouble  are  still  turbulent.  One  of 
them,  who  was  put  under  arrest  yesterday,  broke  away 
from  the  guard  and  created  great  disturbance  till  he  was 
knocked  down  and  handcuffed. 

January  27.  The  storm  is  still  raging  and  we  have 
drifted  badly,  and  are  supposed  to  be  fifty  miles  from  our 
position  yesterday  noon.  The  deck  is  covered  with  ice, 
the  wind  blows  a  gale,  and  the  sailors  are  so  exhausted 
that  the  soldiers  are  obliged  to  assist  them. 

January  28.  Land  is  once  more  in  sight,  and  we  are 
hoping  to  reach  the  mouth  of  the  river. 

January  29.  The  weather  here  is  fickle  and  changeable 
as  that  of  a  New  England  spring.  The  cold  piercing  air 
of  the  last  few  days  was  followed  this  morning  by  mild 
breezes  blowing  from  the  south,  and  the  approach  of  a 
powerful  tug  was  hailed  with  delight,  which  soon  made 
fast  and  towed  us  over  the  bar,  consuming  six  hours, 
from  eight  in  the  morning  till  two  in  the  afternoon.  A 
little  later  a  second  tug,  taking  in  tow  the  Montebello 
and  the  ship  Onward  with  the  21st  Maine  Regiment,  pro 
ceeded  up  the  river. 

January  30.  The  salute  which  aroused  us  this  morn 
ing  was  a  blank  shot  fired  across  our  bow,  and  going  on 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  37 

deck  the  sight  of  Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Philip  greeted  us. 
A  boat  came  alongside  and  we  were  allowed  to  proceed 
five  miles  to  the  quarantine  station,  for  smallpox  had 
broken  out  among  the  New  York  troops.  The  station 
was  formerly  a  custom  house  and  consists  of  a  surgeon's 
residence  and  hospital  situated  twenty-five  miles  from 
the  mouth  of  the  river. 

January  31.  We  were  allowed  to  go  ashore  to  do  our 
cooking,  which  was  a  grateful  change  after  the  long  and 
tedious  confinement  on  shipboard.  There  are  many 
orange  orchards  on  the  other  side  of  the  river  and  we  are 
enjoying  luscious  fruit. 

February  1.  Two  transports  have  appeared  in  the 
stream.  Back  from  the  river  the  land  is  low  and  swampy. 
The  boys  during  the  night,  under  cover  of  darkness,  ap 
propriated  the  ship's  boats  and  helped  themselves  to 
pretty  liberal  supplies  of  oranges  from  the  other  side  of 
the  river,  taking  care  to  return  and  turn  in  before  light, 
so  as  to  avoid  all  embarrassing  and  impertinent  questions 
of  the  exacting  officers.  Among  them  three  young  fel 
lows  took  possession  of  a  dugout  and  paddled  across  with 
a  board,  but  the  current  was  so  strong  it  carried  them 
two  miles  down  the  stream  before  they  could  land.  One 
of  them  was  a  youngster  who  had  been  intrusted  by  his 
father  to  the  care  of  an  older  comrade.  The  quasi 
guardian,  learning  before  morning  that  his  ward  had 
gone,  anxiously  waited  and  watched  for  his  return  to 
the  wharf,  and  was  greatly  relieved  when  he  heard  them 
coming,  and  helped  them  on  the  ship  with  their  booty 
concealed  in  the  folds  of  a  rubber  blanket.  The  adven 
turous  young  scamps  had  taken  their  muskets  and  stolen 
away  prepared  for  any  emergency,  and  returned  after 
enjoying  a  most  exhilarating  midnight  lark. 

February  3.  Cold  and  windy.  A  tug  came  along  at 
five  P.M.  with  the  ship  Herald  from  New  York  and  took 
us  in  tow.  Passed  the  wreck  of  the  Veruna,  commanded 
by  the  gallant  Captain  Boggs,  of  whom  it  is  said  he  sunk 


38  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

six  of  the  rebel  craft,  and  then  ran  his  disabled  gun 
boat  ashore  and  saved  his  crew.  Also  passed  the  side- 
wheel  steamer  Charles  Morgan,  burned  to  the  water's 
edge  in  the  same  action  when  Farragut  went  up  the 
river. 

February  4.  We  are  still  proceeding  up  the  Mississippi 
River,  passing  sugar  plantations  and  occasionally  an 
orange  grove.  One  field  of  sugar  cane  must  have  con 
tained  a  hundred  acres.  At  one  plantation  the  slaves 
came  out,  danced,  and  waved  handkerchiefs,  extending  a 
hearty  welcome.  Their  massa  must  have  gone  away. 

February  5.  Anchored  last  night  eight  miles  below  the 
city  of  New  Orleans  on  account  of  thunder,  lightning  and 
rain,  and  this  morning  the  tug  took  us  up  within  sight  of 
the  city  and  the  ship's  captain  and  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Locke  went  ashore.  To-night  they  returned  with  the 
unwelcome  news  that  we  must  go  back  to  quarantine. 

February  6.  Started  for  the  quarantine  station  at  two 
A.M.,  and  were  six  hours  in  returning  seventy  miles. 
There  are  four  new  cases  of  smallpox  on  board,  twenty  or 
more  are  being  sent  to  the  hospital,  and  all  are  being 
vaccinated  to-day.  The  ship  George  Peabody  with  the 
4th  Massachusetts  reached  here,  the  band  playing  lively 
airs. 

February  7.  We  are  going  ashore  to-day,  are  to  draw 
rations  of  raw  pork  and  potatoes,  and  each  man  is  to 
cook  for  himself,  and  is  to  be  allowed  to  remain  on  shore 
till  three  o'clock,  and  the  ship  is  to  haul  into  the  middle 
of  the  stream  where  we  are  ordered  to  remain  for  thirty 
days. 

February  8.  The  Jenny  Lind  came  up  the  river  to 
night  with  Companies  C,  G  and  H  on  board. 

February  11.  Have  left  the  Montebello.  Two  more 
cases  of  smallpox  are  reported  to-day.  Are  doing  our 
own  cooking  in  dippers.  Our  daily  rations  consist  of  two 
large  spoonfuls  of  sugar  and  the  same  of  coffee,  a  slice  of 
pork,  and  beans  or  potatoes,  which  we  cook  with  chips 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  39 

and  driftwood  gathered  from  the  shore.     Our  quarters 
are  in  the  first  and  second  stories  of  the  custom  house. 

February  12.  Ordered  to  appear  on  dress  parade  at 
four  thirty  P.M.,  at  which  Company  D  mustered  thirty 
nine,  Company  F  thirty-seven  and  Company  B  forty-two 
men. 

February  13.  Two  ships  have  just  gone  up  the  river, 
one  the  Lizzie  Southard  with  the  24th  Maine  Regiment. 

February  14.  We  amused  ourselves  in  sauntering 
down  to  the  swamp  back  of  our  quarters,  among  snakes, 
land  crabs,  lizards,  mosquitoes  and  bugs  of  all  kinds  and 
descriptions,  but  it  was  a  delightful  contrast  to  the  con 
finement  of  the  transport.  Captain  Ward  came  down 
from  New  Orleans  with  camp  equipage  and  gladdened 
our  hearts  with  a  mail  from  friends  at  home. 

February  16.  Captain  Duncan  has  gone  to  the  hospital 
with  varioloid. 

February  18.  A  cloud  is  cast  over  us  to-day  by  the 
death  of  Moses  F.  Eaton  of  Company  D,  who  died  in  the 
hospital  after  an  illness  of  seven  days,  and  yet  he  was 
supposed  to  be  the  heartiest  man  in  the  company.  The 
three  companies  followed  his  body  to  the  grave,  the  fife 
major  playing  a  funeral  dirge,  but  after  the  burial  the 
men  marched  back  to  the  tune  of  'Yankee  Doodle/  for 
such  is  the  military  regulation,  perhaps  on  the  whole  a 
wise  one,  although  it  seems  almost  heartless.  But  then 
it  is  necessary  not  to  allow  the  men  to  become  morbid 
and  despondent,  and  so  the  sad  reflections  attending 
death  must  be  supplanted  by  the  buoyant  exhilaration 
of  life. 

February  22.  Sabbath  morning,  and  the  boys  are  busy 
scouring  muskets  for  inspection. 

February  23.  The  yellow  flag  has  been  hauled  down 
from  the  Montebello,  so  she  is  now  out  of  quarantine. 

February  26.  One  of  Company  B's  men  died  last  night 
at  the  hospital.  The  drum  and  fife  played  a  funeral  dirge, 
and  Captain  Duncan  made  a  prayer.  We  returned  to 


40  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  tune  of  the  'White  Cockade.'  Disease  is  our  most 
deadly  enemy. 

February  28.  The  Montebello  has  sailed  on  her  return 
voyage  for  New  York. 

March  13.  After  a  weary  and  monotonous  confinement 
at  quarantine  we  are  gladdened  by  the  news  that  a  con 
valescent  camp  is  to  be  established  for  us  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  and  that  we  are  to  be  transported  on 
the  steamer  Kepper,  which  has  just  arrived.  Clothing 
was  issued,  stores  put  on  board,  and  March  14  the  men 
were  taken  across,  and  after  repeated  and  unsuccessful 
attempts  to  land,  finally  succeeded  in  getting  ashore  with 
men  and  supplies. 

March  15.  Our  new  quarters  are  named  Camp  Dudley, 
and  once  more  we  enjoy  the  luxury  of  living  in  tents. 
A  high  levee  extends  in  front  of  the  camp,  and  in  the 
vicinity  are  many  fine  trees  festooned  with  hanging  moss, 
and  orange  groves,  the  trees  full  of  fruit  as  those  of  an 
apple  orchard  in  New  England.  Provisions  are  generally 
high,  but  ripe  luscious  oranges  may  be  had  for  the  taking, 
and  large  oysters  may  be  bought  for  twenty-five  cents  a 
bushel  in  the  shell.  Three  or  four  of  Company  B  took  a 
stroll  of  a  mile  or  more  to  a  plantation,  and  found  the  na 
tives  who  had  taken  possession  of  the  hall  of  the  residence 
enjoying  a  fandango  dance  with  little  black  pickaninnies 
scattered  about,  covered  with  only  enough  cotton  to  just 
clear  the  law,  and  yet  there  were  never  happier  little 
imps  of  darkness  than  they. 

March  16.  Quite  an  excitement  in  camp,  some  colored 
men  reporting  that  the  scouts  were  driving  in  the  blacks. 
Ten  rounds  of  ammunition  were  given  to  each  man,  and 
provost  and  picket  guards  thrown  out.  Captain  Duncan 
finally  came  up  with  the  men  a  few  miles  away,  who 
claimed  to  be  acting  under  orders  from  General  Banks, 
and  were  picking  up  negroes  for  the  purpose  of  returning 
them  to  loyal  masters  or  putting  them  to  work  on  Union 
fortifications.  There  were  five  of  these  negro  hunters, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  41 

and  they  were  a  hard  and  suspicious  looking  crew,  astride 
of  jaded  mustangs  as  they  passed  by  the  camp  down  the 
river.  In  an  hour  or  more  they  returned  driving  before 
them  a  tall  black  man,  the  handle  of  a  pistol  protruding 
from  one  of  their  pockets.  Altogether  they  seemed  of 
such  questionable  character  that  Captain  Duncan,  who 
commanded  the  camp,  notified  them  that  he  would 
detain  the  colored  man  till  noon  and  in  the  mean  time 
telegraph,  and  if  he  received  a  favorable  reply  they  could 
then  have  him.  But  they  'stood  not  upon  the  order  of 
their  going'  but  went  'at  once/  hurling  curses  upon  us. 

March  23.  Five  days'  rations  have  been  issued  to  the 
men,  and  we  are  expecting  to  leave  for  Baton  Rouge  to 
join  the  regiment  as  soon  as  a  steamer  can  be  provided. 

March  25.  A  man  from  Company  B  died  to-day.  A 
large  number  are  on  the  sick  list,  so  many  that  some 
days  there  are  hardly  ten  files  on  dress  parade.  About 
noon  a  ragged  diminutive  darky  came  into  camp  lead 
ing  a  sorry-looking  animal  saddled  and  bridled,  with  a 
note  announcing  that  the  horse  was  to  be  delivered  to 
the  sergeant  major,  one  of  the  jokes  which  helped  to 
enliven  the  tedium  of  camp. 

March  29.  A  terrible  shower  with  thunder  and  light 
ning.  It  is  reported  that  Colonel  Locke  will  be  here 
to-night  with  a  steamer  to  take  us  up  the  river.  During 
the  evening  the  levee  in  front  of  our  camp  appeared  to 
be  giving  way,  and  thirty  men  were  turned  out  and  kept 
at  work  during  the  night  cutting  trees,  throwing  them 
into  the  crevasse  and  piling  turf  and  sods  to  keep  the 
water  from  breaking  through.  About  nine  P.M.  the 
lieutenant  colonel  arrived  with  the  Sally  Robinson. 

March  30.  A  detail  of  men  was  put  on  the  steamer  to 
cross  the  river  and  load  on  the  stores  left  by  the  Monte- 
bello,  and  returned  about  two  o'clock  to  Camp  Dudley. 

March  31.  After  having  finished  loading  the  steamer 
we  started  for  New  Orleans  at  ten  o'clock  A.M.  Only  a 
few  slaves  seemed  to  be  at  work  on  the  plantations. 


42  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

The  sugar  cane  was  just  starting  up,  and  they  were 
chopping  it  out,  as  it  is  called. 

April  1.  Arrived  at  New  Orleans  about  midnight  and 
remained  till  morning,  but  were  not  allowed  to  land. 
After  hauling  up  to  the  wharf  for  a  few  hours  we  started 
for  Baton  Rouge. 

April  2.  Passed  a  very  cold  and  uncomfortable  night, 
but  were  charmed  with  the  scenery  above  New  Orleans, 
and  came  in  sight  of  Baton  Rouge  about  ten  o'clock, 
and  after  a  separation  of  almost  three  months  pitched 
tents  again  with  the  rest  of  the  regiment." 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  43 


CHAPTER  V 

ACCOUNT  OF  THE  VOYAGE  OF  COMPANIES  A,  K  AND  E  FROM 
NEW  YORK  TO  BATON  ROUGE  AS  GIVEN  BY  COMRADE 
EUSTIS  AND  SERGEANT  NELSON 

RETURNING  once  more  to  New  York  to  Companies 
A,  K  and  E,  who  were  separated  from  the  rest  of  the 
regiment,  and  embarked  on  the  Jersey  Blue,  we  will 
accompany  them  during  their  voyage  to  Louisiana  and 
recount  their  experience  as  related  by  Comrade  Eustis 
of  Company  E,  and  Sergeant  Nelson  of  Company  K. 

"December  10.  Companies  A,  E  and  K  under  Cap 
tain  Putnam  marched  aboard  the  steamer  Jersey  Blue, 
hauled  into  Hudson  River  at  night,  and  sailed  the  follow 
ing  afternoon  at  two  o'clock,  passing  out  through  the 
Neversink.  The  next  morning  was  for  many  of  us  our 
first  sunrise  at  sea.  As  we  proceeded  south  the  weather 
became  warmer,  and  we  spent  most  of  our  time  on  deck 
scanning  the  Jersey  and  Delaware  coasts,  passing  the 
shore  of  North  Carolina  December  13,  reaching  Cape 
Hatteras  about  five  P.M.,  but  instead  of  clearing  the 
cape,  which  was  unusually  quiet,  we  passed  between  the 
rocks  with  water  about  eighteen  feet  deep." 

"December  11.  Found  us  ready,  but  the  craft  was 
not.  The  cooking  apparatus  was  found  to  be  deficient 
and  we  must  wait  for  the  change  to  be  made.  Com 
mander  Vanderbilt  was  on  board,  and  inspected  the 
steamer  to-day.  If  he  approves  we  must  submit.  But 
she  seems  to  be  a  miserable  old  hulk,  not  fit  for  river 
navigation;  narrow,  so  narrow  that  the  weight  of  one 
man  causes  her  to  list.  A  small  rope  running  around 
the  entire  deck  is  the  only  safeguard  against  falling  over 
board:  but  in  our  case  we  are  so  confined  that  many  of 


44  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  men  are  obliged  to  lie  in  their  bunks  through  the 
day.  At  two  o'clock  the  steam  is  up.  The  machinery 
begins  to  work,  the  bows  of  the  Jersey  Blue  are  turned 
towards  the  Neversink,  and  this  detachment  of  the  50th 
is  on  its  way  to  crush  out  the  Rebellion.  New  York  is 
left  with  regret.  In  no  northern  state  could  soldiers  be 
treated  with  more  consideration  than  in  'this  worst 
governed  city  of  the  world/  No  advantage  has  ever 
been  taken  of  a  soldier.  Passing  by  Staten  Island  and 
the  forts  and  Sandy  Hook,  darkness  closing  in,  the  lights 
of  Neversink  fading  from  sight,  we  are  fairly  out  to  sea. 

December  12  and  13.  Out  of  sight  of  land  most  of  the 
time.  Passed  the  lightship  off  Cape  May,  the  piny  woods 
of  North  Carolina,  and  Roanoke  Island.  When  near  land 
we  now  and  then  see  a  few  inhabitants,  an  old  wrecked 
craft  high  on  the  beach,  and  sea  fowl  floating  about. 
The  sea  is  calm  like  a  river,  and  we  slowly  creep  along, 
passing  Hatteras  just  at  sundown,  running  in  so  near  to 
land  that  we  can  almost  hear  the  keeper,  but  leaving 
him  to  his  lonely  banishment  we  turn  into  our  bunks. 

December  14  and  15.  Have  passed  in  sight  of  the 
blockade  squadron  off  Charleston,  and  were  boarded  by 
one  of  the  gunboat  officials  for  examination. 

December  16.  This  morning  found  us  nearer  'Abra 
ham's  bosom'  than  most  men  enjoy.  Last  night  the 
wind  sprung  up,  and  the  unseaworthiness  of  the  old  hulk 
was  demonstrated  beyond  a  doubt.  The  captain  and 
crew  worked  like  tigers  to  keep  the  steamer  afloat.  From 
fear  of  getting  too  far  south  the  anchor  was  dropped,  and 
we  lay  and  rolled,  till  safety  compelled  us  to  move  again. 
With  the  assistance  of  a  small  steam  tug  we  made  Port 
Royal  and  came  to  anchor  surrounded  by  every  imagina 
ble  kind  of  a  craft  that  sails  or  steams,  both  offensive 
and  defensive.  The  forts  taken  by  Dupont  are  looking 
us  right  in  the  face  through  their  big  guns.  Everything 
looks  strange  and  new.  Palmetto  trees  loom  up  with  not 
a  limb  till  you  reach  the  top.  Hospitals,  signal  stations 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  45 

and  here  and  there  a  cotton  plantation  are  in  view. 
Steamers  from  New  York  with  supplies  are  constantly 
coming,  while  others  are  leaving.  Teams  drawing  timber 
for  piers,  wood  for  use  and  forage  for  cattle  are  con 
stantly  coming  and  going.  This  point  of  land  is  com 
pletely  surrounded  by  fortifications. 

December  18  and  19.  Have  very  pleasant  weather, 
warm  days  and  cold  nights.  The  negroes  itinerate  around 
with  sweet  potatoes  and  oysters  to  vend.  By  digging 
down  into  the  sand  about  six  feet,  palatable  water  is 
found.  We  are  being  drilled  in  the  duties  of  the  soldier, 
by  squad,  company  and  battalion.  Our  amusements  are 
found  on  the  beach,  out  on  the  pier,  around  the  sutler's 
tent  and  in  digging  sweetbrier  for  pipes.  'Our  house' 
is  well  supplied  with  sugar  and  other  things,  through 
the  politeness  of  a  friend  who  stands  guard  by  the  com 
missary  tent. 

December  20.  To-day  having  obtained  a  pass,  I  ac 
companied  my  friend  Lieutenant  Bradstreet  up  to  Beau 
fort  on  board  the  government  steamer  which  runs  for 
the  special  benefit  of  General  Saxton,  commander  of  the 
post.  The  sail  up  was  most  beautiful,  running  past  cot 
ton  plantations  within  speaking  distance  of  the  planters' 
houses.  The  residences  were  delightful,  surrounded  as 
they  were  with  live  oak  groves,  and  walks  laid  out  with 
great  care  and  good  taste;  the  negro  quarters  arrayed  in 
order,  each  cabin  like  every  other;  the  extensive  cotton 
fields  extending  as  far  back  as  the  eye  could  reach. 
Here  slavery  existed  in  its  original  purity.  These  plan 
tations  are  now  all  worked  by  Federal  authority.  The 
city  of  Beaufort  is  finely  located  on  the  high  bank  of  the 
river,  and  was  formerly  a  place  of  aristocratic  preten 
sions,  but  now  the  dwellings  are  used,  some  for  hospitals, 
some  for  hotels  and  others  are  occupied  by  former  slaves. 
The  desecration  of  graveyards  by  taking  the  fences, 
except  in  cases  of  necessity,  is  evidence  of  the  demoraliz 
ing  effect  of  war.  The  fences  are  all  destroyed  and  the 


46  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

graves  are  trodden  by  careless  feet.  Lingering  around 
the  churchyard  connected  with  the  old  Episcopal  church 
and  reading  the  inscriptions,  there  was  one  so  touching 
(it  read,  'To  our  dear  little  Maee')  that  all  feeling  of 
bitterness  for  the  moment  towards  our  wayward  breth 
ren  disappeared. 

December  22  and  23.  Another  detachment  of  General 
Banks  put  into  the  port  in  distress  to-day.  This  time  it 
was  a  New  York  regiment.  It  is  so  warm  that  coats  are 
not  needed  until  nightfall,  when  the  air  becomes  quite 
chilly.  After  dark,  when  everything  is  arranged  for  the 
night,  some  of  us  take  the  liberty  of  comforting  ourselves 
in  the  captain's  tent,  which  is  made  cosy  by  a  little  stove 
brought  all  the  way  from  Boxford.  The  captain  and 
assistant  surgeon  hold  some  able  discussions  on  all  sub 
jects  that  have  ever  puzzled  mankind.  The  boys  off 
duty  are  cooking  by  the  big  fire,  while  others  are  brew 
ing  mischief,  and  woe  to  him  who  leaves  his  dainty  bit 
alone,  for  if  he  finds  it  again  he  will  be  lucky  not  to 
find  his  beans  seasoned  with  bar  soap,  or  some  other 
delicious  condiment.  Some  show  temper,  but  the  more 
sensible  ones  take  the  joke  as  philosophers  and  wait  and 
watch  for  an  opportunity  to  pay  it  back. 

December  24.  "Tis  the  night  before  Christmas/ 
Some  of  the  Pennsylvania  regiments,  made  up  largely  of 
Germans,  are  celebrating  the  eve  in  home  style.  Christ 
mas  trees  in  full  blaze  are  seen  in  various  directions. 
With  visions  of  Christmas  cheer  and  the  din  of  'ocean 
rolling  heavily'  we  fall  asleep. 

December  25.  All  drill  is  omitted  and  general  cele 
bration  indulged  in.  Some  seek  reputation  by  climbing 
the  greasy  pole,  some  strive  in  the  hurdle  race,  while 
others  arrange  a  baseball  match. 

December  26  to  30.  During  these  last  few  days  our 
occupation  has  been  drilling  in  every  conceivable  man 
ner  which  the  genius  of  the  captain  could  invent,  and 
sometimes  the  shoulder  straps  get  into  ludicrous  scrapes. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  47 

December  31.  General  inspection  of  the  battalion,  and 
in  the  midst  of  it  orders  came  for  us  to  strike  tents  and 
go  aboard  ship. 

January  1,  1863,  found  us  tied  to  the  pier.  Just  along 
side  was  the  steamer  Planter,  the  taking  of  which  by 
Robert  Small  and  colored  sailors  from  their  white  mas 
ters  some  months  ago  caused  so  much  excitement. 
[This  was  the  same  Robert  Small  who  afterwards  became 
a  distinguished  representative  in  Congress  from  South 
Carolina.]  The  pier  was  covered  with  blacks  taking 
passage  on  steamer  for  Beaufort,  going  up  to  hear  the 
proclamation  of  their  freedom  read.  Later  in  the  morn 
ing  a  steamer  came  alongside,  made  fast  to  the  Guerilla 
and  towed  us  out  of  the  harbor,  and  soon  we  caught  the 
breeze,  the  lines  were  cast  loose,  the  sails  filled  and  our 
good  ship  bore  away  on  her  course.  The  Guerilla,  a 
stout  craft,  is  well  officered  and  manned,  the  officers, 
Captain  Pierce  and  Mr.  Smith,  wearing  the  United  States 
uniform.  She  was  formerly  the  Mary  J.  Kimball,  a 
slaver  captured  with  slaves  aboard  just  prior  to  the 
Rebellion.  There  being  a  number  in  the  detachment  who 
have  been  before  the  mast  in  days  gone  by,  all  such  are 
invited  to  help  work  the  ship,  and  mess  with  the  sailors 
in  the  forecastle.  A  number  responded  and  the  ship's 
crew  is  a  strong  one. 

January  2  to  7.  The  days  are  rather  monotonous. 
After  passing  the  Gulf  Stream  the  atmosphere  is  very 
balmy,  but  head  winds  delay  our  progress.  The  boys 
while  away  the  time  watching  the  dolphins  play,  whit 
tling  and  reading.  By  an  oversight  in  putting  in  the 
water  supply,  the  men  are  put  on  an  allowance  the  third 
day  out,  and  we  are  provided  with  condensed  water 
(the  boys  call  it  condemned)  from  the  ocean.  After 
tattoo  all  must  go  below  except  the  guards.  The  cook's 
fires  are  kept  burning  through  the  night  to  furnish  food 
for  the  men. 

January  8  found  us  off  the  island  of  Abaco,  where  we 


48  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

saw  the  famous  'Hole  in  the  Wall/  an  arch  through  a 
huge  rock.  An  English  steamer  which  was  supposed  to 
be  a  blockade  runner  was  just  getting  up  steam  and 
moving  away  as  we  hove  in  sight.  Very  soon  a  little 
puff  of  steam  rose  above  the  point  of  the  island,  and 
immediately  a  United  States  gunboat,  the  Octorora,  shot 
out  around  the  corner  and  followed  the  departing  steamer, 
throwing  a  shot  across  her  bows  which  brought  her  to. 
Her  papers  were  examined,  and  everything  proving  correct 
she  was  allowed  to  proceed.  It  was  next  our  turn,  and 
we  were  subjected  to  the  same  treatment.  An  officer 
came  aboard,  examined  our  credentials  and  communicated 
the  pleasant  information  that  the  rebel  Alabama  was  afloat, 
and  a  few  days  before  she  had  captured  the  steamer  Ariel. 
We  are  sailing  over  the  Bahama  banks  and  many  islands 
on  our  left  with  their  perpetual  green  present  a  most 
inviting  picture. 

Saturday,  January  9.  About  midnight  passed  Double 
Head,  Shot  Key  Light. 

January  10.  Sergt.  George  H.  Green  of  Company  E  died, 
and  the  poor  fellow  was  brought  on  deck  to  breathe  his 
last  as  we  were  about  opposite  the  light,  and  it  cast  a 
sad  gloom  over  all.  After  the  usual  routine  of  the  morn 
ing  duties,  the  body  was  prepared  for  burial.  In  our 
ship's  crew  there  were  a  number  who  had  served  in  the 
navy,  and  the  ceremonies  were  conducted  as  on  a  man- 
of-war.  The  vessel  was  hove  to  and  the  services  read 
by  Captain  Barnes. 

January  11.  Passed  in  sight  of  Key  West,  Fort  Jeffer 
son  and  the  Dry  Tortugas. 

January  14.  This  evening  off  Ship  Island  with  March 
winds  and  a  thick  fog,  through  which  could  be  dimly 
seen  lights  and  outlines  of  land. 

January  15.  The  morning  looks  wild  and  we  came 
very  near  drifting  on  to  Cat  Island,  but  by  good  seaman 
ship  succeeded  in  beating  round  under  the  lee  of  Ship 
Island,  where  we  dropped  anchor,  thankful  that  the  end 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  49 

of  our  voyage  was  nearly  reached,  in  spite  of  the  cupidity 
and  imbecility  of  man.  As  one  looks  at  Ship  Island 
through  the  glass  there  is  little  romance  about  it,  two  or 
three  miles  in  length  and  scarcely  half  a  mile  in  width, 
destitute  of  foliage  except  a  few  sickly  looking  trees,  and 
the  sand  blowing  about  furiously.  A  strong  land  and 
naval  force  is  kept  here  to  protect  the  mouth  of  the 
river,  and  it  is  a  rendezvous  for  the  blockade  squadron  in 
the  gulf. 

January  16.  About  noon  orders  arrived  to  sail  for 
New  Orleans.  The  wind  has  lulled,  and  as  evening  closes 
in  a  stiff  breeze  bears  us  towards  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
and  the  waters  sparkle  like  diamonds  with  phosphorescent 
lights. 

January  17.  About  ten  this  morning  signs  of  the 
Father  of  Waters  began  to  appear,  for  the  muddy  color 
of  the  Mississippi  extends  thirty  miles  out  into  the  gulf. 
Soon  sails  were  observed  and  the  outlines  of  a  large 
steamer  lying  in  the  pass  where  we  propose  to  enter. 
Presently  a  pilot  came  aboard,  took  charge  of  the  ship 
and  our  gallant  bark  cut  the  waters  of  the  Mississippi. 
The  wind  being  propitious,  we  could  stem  the  current, 
passed  Pilot  Town,  a  curious  collection  of  dilapidated 
houses  inhabited  by  the  river  pilots. 

Sunday,  January  18.  A  steam  tug  is  coming  up 
through  one  of  the  passes  to  tow  us  to  New  Orleans. 
The  smoke  of  her  flues  is  seen  as  she  creeps  along  the 
winding  way.  She  soon  comes  up  bearing  the  name  of 
Anglo  America,  and  on  either  side  of  her  is  fastened  a 
large  ship,  the  Pocahontas  and  Aquilla.  The  powerful 
tug  looks  like  a  pre-Adamite  monster  puffing  out  great 
volumes  of  smoke.  Slowly  up  the  stream  we  move,  the 
low  banks  of  which  rise  just  above  the  water,  the  drift 
of  the  mighty  river  accumulating  on  either  side  piles  of 
stumps  and  trees  lying  about  in  wild  confusion.  The 
turkey  buzzard  reigns,  a  'monarch  of  all  he  surveys/ 
Occasionally  a  forlorn-looking  hut  is  seen,  but  no  sign 


50  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

of  man.  Telegraph  wires  are  broken,  and  the  poles 
running  away.  Towards  night  we  come  in  sight  of  the 
forts  taken  by  Farragut.  Scattered  along  the  banks 
of  the  river  for  many  a  mile  tokens  of  that  deadly  fight 
are  seen.  The  standard  sheet  floats  from  the  flagstaff. 
Each  saluting  the  other,  we  glide  by  and  soon  arrive  at 
quarantine  ground.  Here  we  are  to  stop  and  are  boarded 
by  officers  who  inquire  after  our  health.  The  surgeon,  on 
his  most  solemn  oath,  declared  that  no  disease  except 
kleptomania  exists  on  board,  and  we  are  allowed  to  pro 
ceed.  Night's  sable  curtain  dropped  upon  the  scene 
about  this  time,  and  on  Monday,  the  19th,  in  the  rain  and 
fog  we  look  out  on  a  new  creation:  sugar  plantations  with 
their  everlasting  surroundings;  cornfields  extending  from 
the  river  far  back  for  miles,  with  a  few  live  oaks  scattered 
over  the  vast  expanse,  with  trailing  moss  waving  like  a 
funeral  pall  from  the  branches.  Now  we  are  opposite 
the  battle  ground  where  behind  cotton  bales  our  side 
beat  back  the  British;  and  at  the  next  bend  in  the  river 
the  city  comes  in  sight.  Among  the  flags  of  all  nations 
we  come  up  to  the  landing.  Before  we  are  fairly  fastened, 
the  ship's  side  swarms  with  orange  peddlers  anxious  to 
exchange  their  commodities  for  cash.  Our  finances  are 
very  low,  but  they  show  a  willingness  to  take  anything 
but  silver,  of  which  they  are  suspicious.  Old  postage 
stamps  and  Confederate  money  made  in  New  York  are 
cheerfully  taken,  then  pocket  handkerchiefs,  and  when 
these  run  low,  books  from  the  Christian  Commission  are 
bartered  away.  After  a  sea  voyage  the  physical  demands 
require  more  food  than  the  moral  faculties.  It  is  an 
inopportune  time  to  talk  culture  to  a  man  who  has 
starved  on  hard-tack  for  a  week.  Later  in  the  day,  in 
company  with  Captain  Barnes,  I  looked  over  the  city. 
The  provost  guard  are  very  strict,  and  a  private,  going 
out  alone  to  spend  the  evening,  may  find  it  necessary 
to  stop  over  night.  Alongside  of  us  are  gunboats  and 
mortar  boats,  nine  steamers  of  magnificent  proportions, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  51 

and  around  us  on  either  side  of  the  river  are  city  in 
stitutions,  public  buildings  and  the  nunnery. 

January  20.  On  this  neglected  spot  the  price  current 
of  sugar  and  molasses  was  regulated  only  a  very  few 
years  ago,  but  now  utter  ruin  and  neglect  mark  every 
thing.  Soon  after  noon  we  were  taken  in  tow  and  pulled 
up  to  Carrollton,  where  we  made  our  final  debarkation. 
This  pleasant  place  proves  to  be  a  suburb  of  New  Orleans, 
it  being  the  terminus  of  the  celebrated  'Shell  Road/ 
There  is  also  a  railroad  connecting  it  with  the  city. 
The  principal  business  of  the  inhabitants  seems  to  be 
keeping  liquor  saloons,  though  a  little  brickmaking  is 
carried  on.  At  this  place  our  entire  cargo  was  unloaded, 
tents,  trunks,  arms  and  ammunition.  Forming  in  line 
on  the  levee  we  march  to  Camp  Parapet.  The  river  is 
about  six  feet  higher  than  the  country  on  either  side. 
After  a  march  of  two  miles  camp  was  reached,  tents 
pitched,  and  to-night  we  sleep  under  canvas. 

January  21.  The  sun  never  rose  on  a  more  beauti 
ful  scene  than  this.  The  trees  are  dressed  in  living  green, 
and  on  every  branch  sits  and  warbles  the  mocking-bird 
and  oriole,  one  imitating  every  bird  that  flies,  and  the 
other  singing  her  sweetest  notes.  The  river  sluggishly 
flows  past  our  camp,  separated  from  us  by  nothing  but 
a  bank  of  earth.  Around  us  are  beautiful  dwellings  with 
grounds  attached  laid  out  with  elegance,  and  planted 
with  shrubs  and  flowers  of  every  hue  and  variety  peculiar 
to  tropical  regions.  The  fortunes  of  war  have  driven 
the  former  inhabitants  away,  and  their  homes  are  now 
taken  for  hospitals  for  the  different  regiments  quartered 
here.  Lieutenant  Rundlett  of  Company  K,  having  been 
detached  in  New  York  for  signal  service,  sailed  in  advance 
of  the  rest  of  the  regiment,  and  arriving  here  some  time 
ago  is  now  settled  in  comfortable  quarters.  Although 
everything  in  nature  is  so  beautiful  to  look  upon,  the 
utter  impossibility  of  draining  the  land  and  the  conse 
quent  dampness  everywhere  begin  to  affect  the  men, 


52  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  many  are  on  the  sick  list.  The  camp  ground  was 
formerly  a  race  course,  level  as  a  house  floor.  To  take  care 
of  the  surface  water,  deep  ditches  have  been  dug,  where 
it  stands,  stagnates,  breeds  sickness  and  causes  death. 

February  2.  Early  this  morning  it  was  reported  that 
we  were  to  be  in  readiness  to  proceed  up  the  river,  and 
in  that  condition  we  remained  part  of  the  day,  when 
further  orders  came  that  we  should  stay  here  a  little 
longer,  and  then  were  ordered  into  line  for  duty,  with 
all  the  regiments  in  camp,  and  were  reviewed  by  Gen. 
Neal  Dow,  a  political  general  from  the  state  of  Maine. 

February  3.  Eventful  day;  the  paymaster  paid  us  off 
and  we  are  actually  rolling  in  wealth.  It  is  a  luxury  to 
be  rich,  and  no  disgrace  to  be  poor  but  extremely  incon 
venient.  There  are  no  poor  people  in  our  camp  to-night. 
Nothing  is  talked  about  but  bank  stock,  dividends  and 
bonds.  Our  very  dreams  are  financial,  of  future  specu 
lations. 

February  4.  It  has  been  the  daily  practice  of  Captain 
Barnes  to  muster  the  company  for  morning  prayers,  but 
upon  this  occasion  Captain  Putnam  came  upon  the 
ground  and  gave  orders  to  immediately  strike  tents, 
pack  everything  and  get  into  line,  our  faces  turned 
towards  Carrollton.  As  usual  after  all  this  commotion 
the  teams  did  not  arrive  for  several  hours,  but  before 
night  everything  was  down  by  the  river  bank  alongside 
of  the  steamer  Continental.  About  the  time  we  com 
menced  putting  the  cargo  aboard  a  thunder  shower  came 
up,  and  the  forked  lightning,  the  thunder  and  torrents 
of  rain  drove  the  men  into  the  neighboring  saloons  till 
the  shower  held  up.  Some  time  in  the  night  steam  was 
gotten  up,  and  when  the  next  morning  broke  on  our 
vision  we  were  steaming  up  the  Mississippi.  It  was  so 
cold  this  morning  that  ice  formed  on  deck.  The  trip 
to-day  has  been  very  dull,  but  one  village  (Donaldson) 
has  been  passed.  A  few  plantations  were  scattered  along 
the  river,  and  that  describes  the  day's  voyage. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  53 

February  6.  Upon  waking  this  morning  we  found  our 
selves  fastened  to  the  old  steamer  Natchez  before  the  city 
of  Baton  Rouge.  Here  is  the  first  high  land  seen  in 
Louisiana.  Very  soon  the  50th  band  appeared,  and  in 
a  short  space  of  time  we  were  marching  up  to  our  camp 
ground  to  the  tune  of  'The  Mocking-bird.'" 


54  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER  VI 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  19TH  ARMY  CORPS  UNDER  GENERAL 
BANKS  —  CAMP  LIFE  AT  BATON  ROUGE 

COMPANY  I,  having  been  the  first  one  of  the  regi 
ment  to  reach  Baton  Rouge,  on  December  16,  was 
followed  by  Companies  A,  E  and  K  on  February  6; 
by  C,  G  and  H  on  February  15;  and  by  B,  D  and  F  on 
April  2.  The  experience  of  each  detachment,  except 
Company  I,  from  the  separation  in  New  York,  having 
been  given  in  the  diary  of  one  or  more  of  its  members, 
the  history  of  the  regiment  may  now  be  resumed  from  its 
arrival  and  reunion  at  Baton  Rouge,  which  was  the  base 
of  operations  where  troops  were  concentrated  and  drilled, 
preparatory  to  the  reduction  of  Port  Hudson. 

General  Banks  had  reached  New  Orleans,  Dec.  14, 1862, 
sent  down  to  succeed  General  Butler  and  open  the  Mis 
sissippi  River  in  co-operation  with  McClernand's  forces 
from  Cairo  above;  and  on  the  15th  he  assumed  com 
mand  of  the  department.  His  forces  constituted  the 
19th  Army  Corps,  made  up  mostly  of  the  expedition 
which  accompanied  and  followed  him  in  transports  from 
New  York.  After  making  provision  for  the  garrisoning 
of  New  Orleans,  and  securing  adequate  means  for  its 
defence,  Banks  organized  his  available  troops  for  opera 
tion  in  the  field  into  four  divisions;  the  first  commanded 
by  Brig.-Gen.  Cuvier  Grover,  the  second  by  Brig.-Gen. 
W.  H.  Emory,  the  third  by  Major-Gen.  C.  C.  Augur,  and 
the  fourth  by  Brig.-Gen.  Thomas  W.  Sherman.  Each 
division  consisted  of  three  brigades  with  three  field 
batteries.  There  were  also  two  battalions  and  six  troops 
of  cavalry,  numbering  about  seven  hundred  effective 
men.  There  was  also  one  regiment  of  heavy  artillery 


OLIVER  A.  ROBERTS  DAVID  M.  KELLEY 

Sergt.  Maior,  50th  Mass.  Quartermaster  Sergt. 

NATHANIEL  W.  FRENCH  50th  Mass. 

Asst.  Surgeon,  50th  Mass. 

DR.  JOHN  HANCOCK  LEONARD  RAND 

Asst.  Surgeon,  50th  Mass.  Com.  Sergt.  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  55 

(the  1st  Indiana)  to  man  the  siege  train,  the  entire  force 
making  up  an  army  of  about  twenty-five  thousand  men, 
but  of  these  only  one-third  were  veterans,  and  of  the  new 
troops  a  large  proportion  were  nine-months  men,  whose 
active  service  in  presence  of  the  enemy  must  necessarily 
be  rather  brief. 

The  commander  of  the  department,  Gen.  Nathaniel  P. 
Banks,  had  neither  had  the  experience  nor  education 
which  would  naturally  fit  him  to  conduct  great  military 
operations.  He  had  been  an  eminent  politician,  a  member 
of  Congress,  a  successful  speaker  of  the  National  House 
of  Representatives,  and  an  illustrious  governor  of  Massa 
chusetts,  just  prior  to  the  war.  While  occupying  the 
latter  position  he  took  great  interest  in  military  affairs, 
as  was  shown  at  the  state  muster  at  Concord  under  his 
administration,  in  1859.  With  a  very  considerable 
personal  magnetism,  a  fine  carriage,  large  political  ex 
perience,  and  natural  ability,  he  rose  from  an  humble 
origin  to  a  position  of  influence  and  power  in  the  state 
and  nation,  and  so,  probably  from  motives  of  policy,  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  confidence  and  influence  among 
the  people  of  the  North,  President  Lincoln  early  in  his 
administration  appointed  Governor  Banks,  as  he  was 
then  called,  with  several  other  citizens,  major  generals 
in  the  Union  Army.  Most  of  them  proved  to  be  brave, 
patriotic,  and  in  a  measure  successful  commanders,  but 
no  one  of  them  will  hardly  rank  in  history  as  a  great 
general.  Poeta  nascitur,  non  fit  (the  poet  is  born,  not 
made),  may  be  true  in  literature,  but  it  hardly  applies  in 
the  case  of  great  soldiers,  as  was  demonstrated  in  our 
Civil  War.  Military  education  or  experience,  or  both, 
seem  to  be  requisite  for  the  man  who  would  aspire  to 
stand  in  the  front  rank  among  those  who  command  great 
armies  and  conduct  extensive  campaigns.  Almost  all 
of  the  great  leaders  in  the  late  war  had  a  military  educa 
tion  at  West  Point  behind  them.  Banks  proved  no 
exception  to  the  rule,  and  while  he  was  personally  brave, 


56  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

conducted  a  reasonably  successful  campaign,  and  ac 
complished  in  the  end  perhaps  all  that  could  have  fairly 
been  expected  of  him,  still  the  operations  were  so  con 
ducted  as  to  exhibit  no  indication  of  brilliancy  or  genius. 
There  was  a  scarcity  of  cavalry,  the  means  of  transporta 
tion  were  deficient,  and  the  commissary  supplies  utterly 
inadequate  to  properly  support  the  army,  and  the  country 
itself  could  furnish  but  little  to  make  up  the  deficiency. 
Of  these  things  Banks  seems  to  have  had  little  information 
before  he  arrived.  Again  it  is  said  he  had  not  been  in 
formed  before  reaching  New  Orleans  that  there  was  any 
fortified  place  on  the  river  below  Vicksburg,  and  yet 
Port  Hudson,  135  miles  above  New  Orleans,  had  been 
entrenched  and  garrisoned  with  a  force  of  12,000  men, 
which  was  at  one  time  increased  to  16,000.  Such  were 
the  obstacles  that  confronted  him  and  such  the  difficulties 
to  be  overcome. 

An  interesting  scene  was  that  presented  at  Baton  Rouge 
in  February,  1863.  It  had  been  the  capital  of  Louisiana, 
situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  river  one  hundred  and 
twenty-nine  miles  above  New  Orleans,  containing, 
besides  the  State  House  and  Penitentiary,  a  Deaf  and 
Dumb  Asylum,  a  College  or  Military  Institute  and  the 
United  States  Arsenal.  Standing  on  a  bluff  twenty-five 
feet  above  the  river  at  its  highest  inundation,  with  a 
population  of  perhaps  five  or  six  thousand  people,  it  was 
rather  an  interesting  and  typical  southern  city.  It 
contained  but  few  pretentious  residences,  but  the  dwell 
ings  generally  presented  an  inviting  and  homelike  ap 
pearance,  suggestive  of  comfort  and  refinement.  One 
of  the  most  attractive  features  of  the  town  was  the  large 
number  of  shade  trees,  many  of  them  festooned  with 
moss,  which  beautified  the  streets  and  surrounded  the 
homes.  One  could  imagine  what  an  easy-going  life  the 
inhabitants  lived  in  the  good  old  times,  before  its  streets 
were  desecrated  by  an  invading  army.  There  was  a 
restfulness  which  must  have  pervaded  the  entire  place. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  57 

No  one  of  the  natives  ever  seemed  to  be  in  a  hurry. 
The  nervous  energy  and  thrift  characteristic  of  New 
England  life  would  have  seemed  out  of  place  by  a  people 
lulled  to  rest  by  the  seductive  languor  of  this  semi-tropical 
climate,  and  breathing  in  the  sweet-scented  atmosphere 
laden  with  the  perfume  of  roses  and  magnolias.  Flowers 
and  shrubs  and  gardens  added  an  almost  indescribable 
charm  to  many  a  home  otherwise  commonplace  and 
uninteresting.  The  town  had  about  it  an  air  of  age, 
almost  of  decrepitude.  Even  the  stores  and  warehouses 
down  by  the  river  seemed  to  be  on  the  downhill  of  life. 

At  the  time  of  our  occupancy  the  able-bodied  men 
were  very  generally  away,  probably  in  the  Confederate 
Army,  and  the  population  consisted  mostly  of  women, 
children  and  negroes.  The  reticent  and  distant  bearing 
of  the  whites,  especially  among  the  ladies,  was  in  striking 
contrast  to  the  exuberant  and  joyous  welcome  of  the 
blacks.  For  a  few  months  at  least  the  drowsy  old  town 
was  awakened  to  life  by  the  tramp  of  northern  soldiers 
and  the  panoply  of  war,  occupied  by  an  army  of  between 
twenty  and  thirty  thousand  men.  Transports  were 
constantly  arriving  and  departing  from  the  landing,  and 
Farragut's  fleet,  either  at  anchor  or  passing  up  toward 
Port  Hudson,  always  excited  the  liveliest  interest.  For 
three  months  the  regiment  remained  here  most  of  the 
time,  at  first  with  the  other  troops,  and  later  as  a  part 
of  the  town's  garrison,  while  Banks  made  his  campaign 
through  the  Teche  country  with  the  bulk  of  the  army. 

As  memory  goes  back  to  those  far-off  days  and  recalls 
the  life  passed  in  the  tented  camp  near  the  Penitentiary 
and  on  the  hill  by  the  tannery  during  so  many  weeks,  the 
rigid  and  monotonous  duties  of  the  day  from  reveille  at 
5.50  A.M.  to  taps  at  9  P.M.,  the  interesting  and  sometimes 
exciting  adventures  on  picket,  the  Sunday-morning  in 
spection  under  the  searching  eye  of  General  Dudley,  a 
picture  on  the  whole  rather  pleasant  to  dwell  upon  is 
unrolled  before  us  with  ever-varying  tints  of  sunshine 


58  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  shadow.  The  unseemly  things,  the  disagreeable 
features  of  our  experience,  the  severe  and  sometimes 
bitter  hardships  have  almost  passed  into  oblivion,  and 
what  was  pleasant  and  delightful,  like  the  virtues  of  one 
we  have  loved  and  lost,  remains.  It  is  a  beautiful  tend 
ency  of  human  nature  to  idealize  the  past,  whether  it 
is  the  memory  of  a  friend  or  the  experience  of  life. 

Perhaps  a  few  pages  devoted  to  Baton  Rouge  will 
afford  some  pleasant  retrospection  so  far  as  we  shall  be 
able  to  recall  the  past  and  live  over  again  the  days  of 
youth.  Who  will  ever  forget  the  march  from  the  steamer 
up  to  the  camp  ground?  After  guns  were  stacked  and 
knapsacks  and  equipments  thrown  off,  what  an  inroad 
was  made  by  the  boys  upon  the  Penitentiary  for  boards 
with  which  to  lay  tent  floors,  and  with  what  satisfaction 
the  first  night  they  turned  into  their  new  quarters! 
After  the  long  and  tedious  confinement  between  decks 
it  was  an  agreeable  and  refreshing  change. 

The  first  call  was  at  5.50  and  the  second  at  6  A.M., 
followed  by  roll  call,  police  of  quarters  at  6.15,  breakfast 
at  6.40,  surgeon's  call  at  7,  squad  drill  from  7.30  to  8.30, 
guard  mounting  at  9,  company  drill  from  10  to  11.30, 
recall  at  11.33,  dinner  at  12,  battalion  from  2.30  to  4.30 
P.M.,  recall  at  4.33,  dress  parade  at  4.45,  tattoo  at  8  and 
taps  at  9. 

Our  acting  Brig.-Gen.  Nathan  A.  M.  Dudley  was  a 
Regular  Army  officer,  and  colonel  of  the  30th  Mass.  In 
fantry,  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  every  inch  a  soldier. 
Although  a  rigid  disciplinarian,  and  strict  in  requiring 
the  performance  of  every  duty,  he  possessed  a  warm  and 
tender  heart  that  at  once  commanded  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  men,  which  ripened  into  a  strong 
attachment  that  has  lasted  and  strengthened  during 
forty  years.  At  the  annual  reunions  of  the  regiment 
the  old  general  is  the  central  figure,  for  whom  the  boys 
of  '63,  gray  and  white-haired  veterans  now,  entertain  the 
warmest  affection.  How  vividly  one  recalls  that  erect 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  59 

figure  sitting  like  a  statue  on  his  black  horse,  with  crisp 
moustache  and  snapping  eyes,  man  and  beast  forming  a 
single  personality,  one  apparently  the  complement  of  the 
other! 

The  brigade  consisted  of  the  30th  and  50th  Massachu 
setts,  the  2d  Louisiana  and  the  161st  and  174th  New 
York,  with  Nims's  Battery,  and  was  known  as  the  3d 
Brigade  of  the  1st  Division.  Close  by,  the  trees  were 
scarred  and  seamed  by  the  tracks  of  shells  and  balls, 
reminiscent  of  the  severe  battle  that  occurred  here  in 
August,  1862.  "  They  will  tell  you  where  Nims's  Battery 
was  planted  and  dealt  out  death  with  terrible  slaughter. 
Under  that  tree  General  Williams  was  shot  dead  while 
directing  his  troops.  In  that  thicket  of  trees  the  enemy's 
sharpshooters  were  stationed,  and  the  heaving  turf  seen 
all  around  us  shows  too  plainly  the  terrible  effect  of  their 
deadly  aim."  A  soldier's  life  at  Baton  Rouge  was  no 
holiday.  It  was  one  continuous  round  from  sunrise  to 
sunset,  with  some  hours  interspersed  for  rest  and  recrea 
tion,  and  then  occasionally,  with  passes  in  our  pockets, 
we  were  allowed  to  roam  about  the  streets  and  down  to 
the  river,  but  taken  all  in  all  the  most  agreeable  duty 
was  that  on  the  outer  reserve  or  picket  guard.  The 
detail,  made  up  about  nine  A.M.,  took  with  them  one 
day's  rations  and  blankets,  and  marched  out  about  two 
miles  to  relieve  the  guard  of  the  day  before,  remaining 
in  turn  for  twenty-four  hours,  each  man  being  two  hours 
on  duty  and  four  hours  off. 

Beyond  the  lines  of  the  picket  guard  no  one  was  al 
lowed  to  go  without  a  pass  signed  by  the  provost  marshal. 
When  the  weather  was  pleasant,  to  go  out  on  picket  duty 
seemed  a  good  deal  like  going  to  a  picnic,  the  boys  fry 
ing  their  rations  of  pork  and  potatoes,  if  they  were  so 
fortunate  as  to  have  any,  and  making  coffee  about  an 
open  fire,  and  then  the  enjoyment  was  made  a  little 
keener  by  occasional  glimpses  of  a  rebel  vidette  making 
his  appearance  beyond  the  lines,  and  sometimes  the 


60  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

enemy  would  make  a  dash  in  force  from  Clinton,  where 
they  were  stationed  a  few  miles  away.  How  vividly 
comes  back  the  recollection  of  one  night  when  a  squad 
was  sent  out  and  lay  in  ambush  behind  a  hedge,  in 
anticipation  of  a  flying  visit  from  our  Confederate  friends, 
who  had  made  themselves  obnoxiously  familiar  the  night 
before,  and  how  we  lay  there  in  silence  till  break  of  day 
with  loaded  muskets,  ready  and  anxious  to  hear  the 
hoof-beats  of  their  horses,  and  greet  them  with  a  warm 
reception;  but  the  night  wore  away,  no  rebels  appeared, 
and  the  men  were  compelled  to  march  back  in  the  morn 
ing  to  the  post  without  having  won  any  especial  glory. 

Occasionally  some  members  of  the  picket,  when  off 
duty,  would  make  a  break  through  the  lines  to  visit  a 
sugar  house  in  quest  of  sugar  and  molasses.  One  such 
there  was  on  a  fine  old  plantation  with  a  noble  mansion, 
extensive  outbuildings,  and  finely  kept  gardens,  or  rather 
such  they  had  been  a  few  months  before,  but  presto, 
what  a  change!  the  family  was  gone,  the  buildings  de 
serted,  the  rich  and  heavy  furniture  demolished,  and 
everything  giving  evidence  of  vandalism  and  ruthless 
war.  Here  had  been  a  home  of  elegance  and  luxury; 
now  the  inmates  were  refugees,  the  negro  cabins  were 
tenantless,  the  great  sugar  house,  rich  with  the  product 
of  the  surrounding  cane  fields,  abandoned,  and  the  lordly 
domain  given  over  to  ruin  and  destruction. 

Two  of  the  vandals,  comrades,  boys  who  had  stolen 
out  of  that  same  sugar  house  laden  with  booty  in  1863, 
and  back  to  the  Federal  post,  returned  nearly  thirty  years 
after,  and  remembering  this  fine  old  place,  after  making 
diligent  inquiry,  galloped  across  great  stretches  of  uncul 
tivated  fields,  tied  their  horses'  reins  to  a  rail  fence,  and 
visited  once  more  the  scene  of  their  former  experience. 
Approaching  through  an  avenue  of  noble  oaks  and  look 
ing  about  for  some  familiar  objects,  they  were  all  gone. 
The  remnants  of  a  garden,  a  single  chimney  standing 
solitary  and  alone,  and  one  wing  of  the  house  occupied 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  61 

by  a  family  of  poor  whites,  were  the  only  decaying  monu 
ments  or  rather  tombstones  to  mark  the  sight  of  former 
opulence.  One  other  landmark  remained,  and  that  was 
the  family  burying  ground,  a  few  rods  away,  where 
rested  the  ashes  of  those  who  once  lived  here,  under 
headstones  neglected,  and  concealed  in  a  rank  and  bushy 
undergrowth. 

As  the  two  comrades  mounted  their  horses  and  rode 
away,  they  carried  a  heavier  load  than  thirty  years  be 
fore;  this  time  it  was  "food  for  reflection."  "This  world 
is  all  a  fleeting  show." 

During  February  and  March  the  weather  was  fickle  as 
a  young  coquette,  the  warm  sunshine  mellowing  the 
ground  and  tickling  the  earth  so  that  fresh  vegetation 
was  leaping  up  as  if  by  magic;  the  trees  were  all  in 
bloom;  the  young  fruit  bursting  out  on  every  limb,  and 
the  air  sweet  with  the  perfume  of  flowers;  but  the  beauti 
ful  spring  weather  was  purchased  at  the  price  of  down 
pours  of  rain,  which  used  to  come  at  irregular  intervals 
with  spasmodic  violence,  drenching  the  men  and  flood 
ing  the  camp.  Nature  did  not  often  furnish  what 
the  good  parson  prayed  for,  "an  old-fashioned  drizzle 
drozzle."  The  level  ground  near  the  Penitentiary  be 
came  so  wet  and  muddy  that  on  the  18th  day  of  Febru 
ary  General  Dudley  gave  orders  that  we  should  move 
our  camp,  and  so  "to-day  we  again  fold  our  tents  and 
silently  steal  away  to  the  best  camp  ground  since  leav 
ing  Boston."  It  has  a  gentle  southern  slope  covered 
with  green  grass. 

As  stringent  orders  had  been  issued  regarding  the 
destruction  of  buildings,  it  was  necessary  to  move  with 
great  caution.  Near  our  camp  there  was  a  roof  remain 
ing  of  what  was  once  a  substantial  building,  and  it  was 
proposed  to  appropriate  it  for  a  cook  house.  Colonel 
Messer  was  interviewed,  who  expressed  the  opinion  that 
it  was  best  to  take  help  enough  and  move  it  without  ask 
ing  any  questions,  and  so,  in  a  few  hours,  the  whole 


62  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

establishment  was  removed  to  one  of  the  company's 
streets,  ready  for  raising.  Not  long  after  General  Dudley 
rode  through  the  camp,  and  noticing  the  great  pile  of 
lumber,  drew  rein  and  said,  "Boys,  I  have  no  objection 
to  your  taking  moderate  sized  dwelling  houses  if  neces 
sary  for  your  comfort  and  health,  but  when  you  come 
to  take  hotels  it  won't  be  tolerated/'  and  with  a  look 
which  meant  yes,  he  rode  away.  Near  by  was  a  large 
tannery  with  all  modern  inventions,  which  was  utilized 
as  a  slaughterhouse.  *"In  close  proximity  to  our  camp 
there  lived  an  elderly  lady,  who  before  the  war  was  the 
possessor  of  goods  and  estates  to  a  respectable  amount, 
and  with  the  labor  of  her  slaves  and  with  the  product  of 
a  numerous  herd  of  cows  lived  peaceful  and  happy;  but 
in  an  evil  day  liberty  was  proclaimed  to  these  colored 
chattels,  and  so  they  left  the  venerable  dame,  but  to  keep 
fresh  and  green  in  memory  the  happy  days  of  childhood 
each  of  them  took  a  cow,  not  so  much  perhaps  for  its 
intrinsic  value,  as  to  remind  them  that  they  and  the  old 
lady  once  carried  on  the  plantation  together.  To-day 
her  stock  is  reduced  to  two  old  brindles,  and  from  them, 
with  a  never-failing  well  of  water,  she  manages  to  pick  a 
living  from  our  soldiers.  She  is  a  good  specimen  of 
a  spirited  southern  woman.  Language  doesn't  fail  her 
when  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  her  are  mentioned,  and 
from  her  standpoint  who  would  blame  her?  Property 
wasted  or  destroyed,  family  scattered,  her  boys  in  the 
army,  and  she  in  this  garrison  city  with  no  chance  to 
hear  from  them.  By  changing  the  theme  and  praising 
her  garden,  a  pleasanter  picture  was  presented.  There 
were  the  rarest  flowers,  of  every  color  and  shade,  many 
of  them  curiosities  of  nature.  It  seemed  as  if  the  collec 
tion  embraced,  in  point  of  beauty  and  rarity,  a  greater 
variety  than  the  whole  flora  of  Massachusetts." 

The  22d  having  fallen  on  Sunday,  Washington's  Birth 
day  was  observed  on  Monday,  and  given  up  to  sports 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  63 

and  recreation.  There  were  a  greased  pole  and  pig,  sack 
races,  foot  races,  boxing  and  wrestling  matches  and  prize 
drilling,  stimulated  by  a  liberal  amount  of  prizes. 

February  24.  After  yesterday's  celebration  the  com 
panies  of  the  regiment  turned  out  to  brigade  drill  with 
thinned  ranks,  which  aroused  the  general's  ire.  Riding 
down  the  line  and  expressing  his  opinion  of  shirks  and 
skulkers  with  a  crisp  and  laconic  force,  a  detail  was 
despatched  to  the  company  quarters  to  gather  up  all 
stragglers  who  had  not  been  excused  from  duty,  and  the 
way  in  which  the  squad  was  drilled  for  the  next  two 
hours  afforded  great  amusement  to  the  boys  who  looked 
on.  "It  is  rather  a  pleasant  diversion  to  see  one  sit 
down  on  the  ice  or  chase  his  hat  in  a  high  wind,  so  long 
as  one's  head  and  heels  don't  exchange  places,  or  so 
long  as  one's  hat  remains  a  fixture,  and  some  of  us  felt  like 
good  little  boys  who  always  come  home  with  clean  faces 
and  clothes,  as  the  men  after  their  drill  were  marched 
up  to  brigade  headquarters  to  receive  from  the  command 
ing  officer  a  parting  admonition  in  choice  Anglo-Saxon." 

Sunday,  March  1.  *"The  march  to-day  led  us  past 
the  Mount  Auburn  of  Baton  Rouge.  The  brigade  made 
a  long  halt  here,  and  an  hour  was  spent  among  the  silent 
majority.  Certainly  the  people  of  Baton  Rouge  show 
a  great  deal  of  refinement  and  culture  in  the  erection  of 
monuments  of  the  most  beautiful  designs  to  the  memory 
of  their  dead.  But  this  sacred  spot  escaped  not  the 
ravages  of  war,  for  here  was  the  last  ditch  of  the  Con 
federates  in  the  battle  a  few  months  ago.  The  fence  is 
completely  riddled  with  musket  balls,  and  many  of  the 
tombstones  are  marked  and  scarred  by  bullets,  and  from 
the  trees  many  a  flattened  minie  ball  is  cut  to  keep  as 
a  memento  of  the  place  and  the  occasion.  The  whole 
scene  was  strangely  beautiful.  The  entire  brigade  was 
at  rest;  the  guns  stacked  by  the  roadside;  field  and  staff 
officers  dismounted;  the  steeds  either  tied  to  the  trees  or 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


64  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

quietly  moved  about  by  orderlies;  while  scattered  around 
in  all  directions,  singly  or  in  groups,  were  the  men,  admir 
ing  the  beauty  of  the  scene  and  surroundings.  The 
marvelous  great  trees,  the  arms  and  equipments  glistening 
in  the  bright  sunshine,  the  music  of  bands  and  birds,  and 
the  excitement  attending  the  whole,  made  a  picture 
impossible  to  describe." 

The  4th  Massachusetts  Battery  with  other  troops 
arrived  to-day  from  New  Orleans. 

Monday,  March  2.  The  indications  point  toward  a  for 
ward  movement.  After  being  out  on  squad  and  com 
pany  drills  this  forenoon,  orders  were  issued  about  noon 
to  pack  knapsacks,  and  everything  except  overcoats  and 
blankets  to  be  stored,  and  to  be  in  readiness  to  march 
at  any  moment.  An  interesting  rumor  circulates  about 
the  camp  that  eight  thousand  rebels  are  throwing  up 
entrenchments  a  few  miles  beyond  our  line.  During  this 
time  the  men  were  being  brought  up  to  the  highest  pos 
sible  state  of  efficiency  by  constant  and  arduous  drills, 
those  of  the  brigade  occurring  usually  in  the  afternoon, 
the  weather  during  the  day  being  frequently  oppressively 
hot,  though  the  nights  and  mornings  were  often  quite 
cool.  Blank  cartridges  were  issued,  and  the  troops  prac 
tised  firing  in  preparation  for  and  anticipation  of  real 
battle.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  at  the  discharge  of  the 
first  volley,  it  was  very  ludicrous  to  witness  the  flight  of 
the  darkies  as  they  scurried  away  in  precipitate  flight. 

March  3.  General  Augur  drilled  the  brigade  for  two 
hours.  He  is  a  fine-looking  officer  and  commands  the 
confidence  of  the  men.  No  withstanding  the  rigid  dis 
cipline  and  severity  of  the  drills,  the  hours  off  duty  were 
many  of  them  given  up  to  rollicking  fun,  as,  for  instance, 
when  the  band  one  evening  serenaded  Major  Hodges,  and 
the  boys  assembled  in  front  of  his  tent  giving  themselves 
up  to  dancing  and  singing. 

March  7.  This  forenoon  the  49th  Massachusetts  Regi 
ment  went  out  on  a  foraging  expedition,  followed  by  a 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  65 

long  train  of  wagons  and  mule  teams  driven  by  negroes 
and  accompanied  by  two  fieldpieces  and  a  squad  of 
cavalry.  *  "During  the  week  past  expectation  has  been 
wrought  up  to  the  highest  pitch.  The  city  is  filling  up 
with  soldiers.  Regiment  after  regiment  come  from  below 
by  steamer,  stay  a  day  or  two,  then  move  on  and  others 
come  to  take  their  places.  Steamers  pass  by  loaded  to 
their  utmost  with  soldiers  and  munitions  of  war.  They 
go  up  a  few  miles  and  camp,  waiting  for  a  general  move 
ment.  Port  Hudson  is  the  objective  point,  and  around 
that  spot  all  our  hopes  and  fears  center.  .  .  .  The 
season  is  forward,  cane  and  corn  are  in  condition  to  weed. 
Peach  trees  and  the  ivy  and  myrtle  are  in  bloom.  Pome 
granates  begin  to  fruit,  and  the  first  crop  of  vegetables 
is  in  the  market." 

Sunday,  March  8.  General  Banks  with  his  staff 
arrived  to-night. 

Tuesday,  March  10.  At  five  A.M.  we  were  ordered  to 
fall  in,  supposing  an  advance  was  to  be  made  on  Port 
Hudson.  Three  days'  rations  were  issued  and  in  heavy 
marching  order  the  line  was  taken  to  the  parade  grounds, 
where  the  brigade  was  reviewed  by  General  Dudley, 
after  which  the  regiment  returned  to  camp  with  orders, 
however,  to  be  in  readiness  to  move  at  any  moment. 
The  presence  of  the  commanding  general  and  the  unusual 
activity  that  prevails  in  every  direction  point  to  an  im 
portant  movement  in  the  immediate  future. 

March  11  to  13.  Such  a  military  display  was  made 
during  these  days  as  most  of  us  had  not  witnessed. 
Cavalry,  artillery  and  infantry  were  all  on  parade.  The 
streets  were  packed  with  marching  columns,  martial 
strains  filled  the  air,  and  the  troops  passed  in  review 
before  General  Banks.  The  long  and  serried  columns, 
with  burnished  arms  and  flags  unfurled  stretching 
away  in  the  distance,  presented  a  grand  and  imposing 
sight. 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


66  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER  VII 

FEINT  ON  PORT  HUDSON  —  MARCH  OF  THE  TROOPS  —  AD 
MIRAL  FARRAGUT  MAKES  A  NAVAL  ATTACK  AND 
PASSES  UP  THE  RIVER  —  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  MISSIS 
SIPPI  —  RETURN  OF  THE  ARMY  TO  BATON  ROUGE 

THE  13th  of  March  was  a  day  of  thrilling  interest. 
Admiral  Farragut's  fleet  of  mortar  and  gun  boats 
with  the  famous  ironclad  Essex  were  steaming 
up  the  river.  The  troops  were  mustering  from  every 
direction,  and  towards  evening  General  Grover's  division 
started  up  the  river  towards  Port  Hudson,  followed  a 
few  hours  later  by  General  Emory's  division.  It  was  a 
glorious  and  exciting  spectacle  to  the  boys  of  the  50th 
still  left  on  the  camp  ground,  as  for  hours  they  listened 
to  the  steady  tramp  of  marching  columns,  watching 
regiment  after  regiment  as  they  advanced,  now  a  squad 
of  cavalry,  next  a  battery  of  artillery  and  then  a  brigade 
of  infantry,  their  measured  step  lightened  by  the  strains  of 
martial  music.  Every  nerve  tingled  with  suppressed 
excitement.  The  forward  movement,  so  long  expected, 
was  hailed  with  eager  anticipation.  General  Augur's 
division  was  the  last  to  move. 

Saturday,  March  14.  The  long  roll  beat  for  the  regi 
ment  to  fall  in  at  three  A.M.,  and  a  little  later  the  brigade 
was  in  line,  but  the  division  did  not  get  under  way  till 
after  five.  The  road  led  by  Bayou  Monticeno  through 
a  dense  forest,  the  great  oaks  festooned  with  a  drapery 
of  waving  moss.  Here  and  there  we  passed  an  occasional 
opening  and  small  plantation.  The  men  were  in  fine 
spirits  as  they  moved  out  of  the  city,  giving  expression 
to  their  enthusiasm  in  hearty  cheers  and  songs.  As  far 
as  the  eye  could  reach  in  either  direction  there  seemed 


GEORGE  D.   PUTNAM 
Capt.  Co.  A,  50th  Mass. 


JOSIAH  W.  COBURN 
Capt.  Co.  D,  50th  Mass. 


DARIUS  N.  STEVENS 
Capt.  Co.  C,  50th  Mass. 


JOHN   LANGDON   WARD 
Capt.  Co.  B,  50th  Mass. 


SAM'L    F.    LITTLEFIELD 
Capt.  Co.  E,  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  67 

to  be  a  never-ending  line  of  moving  troops.  Generals 
with  brilliant  staffs  rode  galloping  by  to  join  their  respec 
tive  commands,  and  during  the  forenoon  the  commander- 
in-chief ,  finely  mounted,  passed  towards  the  front  greeted 
with  continual  cheers.  General  Banks  certainly  at  that 
stage  of  the  campaign  was  very  popular  with  the  men. 
As  the  day  progressed  the  heat  grew  more  oppressive, 
and  stragglers  began  to  fall  out;  among  them  at  an  un 
lucky  moment  was  the  worthy  color-bearer  with  the 
regimental  colors.  The  doughty  sergeant,  resting  on  a 
rail,  wiping  away  the  oozing  perspiration  with  one  hand, 
and  clinging  to  the  staff  with  the  other,  had  not  probably 
anticipated  that  by  the  law  of  chances  General  Dudley 
would  appear  upon  the  scene  just  then,  but  so  it  chanced, 
and  the  interview  between  the  general  and  the  sergeant 
was  not  altogether  satisfactory  to  one  of  them  at  least, 
as  the  other  very  considerately  bore  away  the  flag  and 
presented  it  to  Colonel  Messer  with  a  speech  appropriate 
to  the  occasion. 

At  Bayou  Monticeno  a  pontoon  had  been  thrown 
across,  over  which  the  troops  passed,  continuing  on  until 
about  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  regiment 
halted  in  a  large  cotton  field  near  the  edge  of  a  wood, 
after  a  march  of  ten  miles  from  Baton  Rouge.  Guns 
were  stacked,  fires  built,  coffee  prepared,  and  it  was  sup 
posed  we  were  to  make  a  halt  here  and  spend  the  night. 
Near  by  were  negro  cabins  to  which  some  of  the  boys 
resorted  for  a  repast  of  ham,  eggs  and  hoecake,  a  more 
sumptuous  feast  than  that  furnished  by  the  contents  of 
haversacks,  with  which  most  of  the  men  were  forced  to 
be  content,  although  numerous  requisitions  of  chickens, 
eggs,  milk  and  beef  were  made  upon  the  plantation. 

After  the  severe  march  of  the  day  the  men  were  glad 
to  spread  their  blankets  and  make  for  themselves  tem 
porary  quarters  for  the  night  behind  a  rail  fence,  and  they 
were  just  about  falling  to  sleep  when  the  adjutant  ap 
peared  with  orders  directing  Companies  C,  I  and  K  to 


68  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

fall  in  and  march  to  the  headquarters  of  General  Banks, 
four  or  five  miles  away.  Pulling  together  our  weary 
limbs,  rolling  up  blankets,  and  once  more  shouldering 
knapsacks  and  muskets  were  not  welcomed  with  great 
enthusiasm,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it.  The  direction 
came  not  as  a  request,  but  was  issued  as  a  command  and 
must  be  obeyed.  Still  there  was  always  a  sort  of  fas 
cination  about  such  duty.  There  was  just  enough  un 
certainty  to  keep  the  imagination  active,  and  a  kind  of 
somber  weirdness  which  operated  both  as  a  physical  and 
mental  tonic. 

It  was  ten  o'clock  when  the  three  companies  turned 
from  the  main  road  up  an  avenue  leading  to  the  planta 
tion  where  the  headquarters  were  located,  and  met  Gen 
eral  Banks  riding  out  with  his  staff.  Arrived  at  the  place 
of  destination,  a  detail  was  told  off  for  guard  duty,  guns 
were  stacked,  and  the  men  rolled  up  in  their  blankets 
for  a  little  rest,  but  that  was  not  a  night  for  sound 
sleep. 

We  were  only  a  few  miles  from  Port  Hudson,  and  the 
boom  of  heavy  guns  in  that  direction  made  it  evident 
that  the  Federal  artillery  was  bombarding  the  rebel 
works.  Farragut  was  forcing  the  passage  of  their  bat 
teries.  A  continuous  cannonade  reverberated  up  and 
down  the  river.  Mortar  shells  screaming  through  the 
air  and  descending  into  the  Confederate  fortifications 
were  doing  their  deadly  work,  and  the  enemy's  batteries 
were  belching  forth  shot  and  shell  in  their  supreme  effort 
to  sink  the  Federal  fleet.  "A  large  fire  was  seen  on  the 
Port  Hudson  side  of  the  river,  in  front  of  the  fortifica 
tions.  Suddenly  a  rocket  ascended  into  the  air  from  the 
west  bank  and  exploded.  The  alarm  was  given  and  a 
shot  from  the  rebel  works  was  answered  by  a  broadside 
from  the  Hartford.  Battery  after  battery  answered  from 
the  hillside.  The  Hartford  pushed  ahead,  towing  the 
Albatross,  the  Richmond  towed  the  Genesee,  the  Monon- 
gahela  the  Kineo.  The  Mississippi  and  the  Sachem  fol- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  69 

lowed.  The  darkness  was  intense,  and  the  location  of 
the  enemy's  batteries  could  be  told  only  by  the  flash 
and  the  location  of  the  fleet.  The  whole  area  of  the 
action  upon  the  land  and  upon  the  water  was  soon 
enveloped  in  a  sulphurous  canopy  of  smoke.  The  vessels 
could  no  longer  discern  each  other,  and  it  became  diffi 
cult  how  to  steer,  as  in  the  gloom  the  only  object  at 
which  they  could  aim  was  the  flash  of  our  guns.  The 
danger  became  imminent.  This  gave  the  rebels  great 
advantage,  for  with  their  stationary  guns,  though  they 
fired  into  the  darkness  they  could  hardly  fire  amiss. 
The  Richmond  pushed  along  beside  the  Hartford  in  the 
darkness,  and  came  very  near  pouring  a  broadside  into 
her.  The  Mississippi  ran  aground  on  the  west  bank, 
and  the  rebel  batteries,  pouring  an  awful  fire  upon  her, 
riddled  her  through  and  through.  It  was  impossible  to 
move  her,  and  she  was  set  on  fire  to  keep  her  from  fall 
ing  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Soon  after  she  loosened 
herself  and  floated  down  the  river,  and  the  fleet  being 
unable  to  pass,  slowly  drifted  down  the  stream  while  the 
Hartford  and  Albatross  had  pushed  up  beyond  the  forts."* 

It  was  a  grand  and  terrific  night  brought  to  a  fit  close 
by  the  explosion  of  the  Mississippi  when  the  fire  had 
reached  her  magazine.  One  fearful  report,  a  flash  of 
light  and  then  darkness.  The  firing  ceased.  The  old 
admiral  had  fought  his  way  up  the  river;  the  contest  was 
ended,  and  the  din  and  roar  of  battle  which  had  raged 
through  the  night  was  followed  by  a  quiet  and  peaceful 
morning. 

In  the  mean  time,  while  Companies  0,  I  and  K  were 
guarding  Banks' s  headquarters,  the  rest  of  the  regiment 
had  been  routed  up  about  two  o'clock  and  formed  in 
line  of  battle,  apparently  anticipating  the  possibility  of 
an  attack  from  the  enemy. 

The  members  of  the  three  companies  in  advance  will 
recall  with  much  pleasure  and  some  amusement  the 

*  Campaigning  with  Banks. 


70  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

events  of  the  morning  of  Sunday,  March  15.  The  sun 
rose  upon  a  plantation  in  full  operation,  supplied  with 
provisions  and  stocked  with  slaves  and  animals.  Fed 
eral  troops  had  never  before  reached  so  far  into  the 
interior  to  disturb  the  rights  of  private  ownership.  Be 
fore  the  sun  set  most  of  the  personal  property  of  that 
plantation  had  vanished  in  the  wake  of  the  army.  The 
colored  members  of  the  family  exhibited  great  generosity 
and  profuse  hospitality  in  the  distribution  of  food  and 
supplies  among  the  soldiers,  who  were  encouraged  to 
help  themselves  to  whatever  they  desired.  When,  about 
ten  o'clock,  the  line  of  march  was  taken  up  back  toward 
Baton  Rouge,  there  followed  a  procession  of  contrabands 
and  mules  and  wagons  loaded  with  personal  chattels  that 
had  been  the  property  of  a  rebel  planter  the  day  before. 
The  riches  of  that  man  took  to  themselves  wings  and 
flew  away  with  great  rapidity.  It  must  have  taken  a 
long  time  to  reconstruct  him  into  an  earnest  lover  of  the 
Union,  and  as  he  gazed  upon  his  vanishing  wealth  he 
must  have  realized  the  vicissitudes  of  war. 

The  companies  that  had  been  detailed  the  night  before 
to  guard  the  headquarters  of  General  Banks,  after  march 
ing  about  a  mile,  came  to  a  halt  near  a  schoolhouse  and 
dwelling,  in  which  lived  a  blind  man  and  the  pretty 
schoolmistress,  whose  attractive  face  and  person  were  a 
cheering  sight  to  men  so  long  deprived  of  female  society. 
Remaining  here  till  four  in  the  afternoon,  we  formed  a 
guard  to  the  ambulance  train,  reaching  Bayou  Monti- 
ceno  about  eight  o'clock,  and  the  march  back  through 
mud  four  or  five  inches  deep  was  dreary  and  disagreeable 
beyond  description.  The  rain  came  down  in  torrents, 
drenching  us  through  and  through.  The  movement  of 
the  army  towards  Port  Hudson  had  been  intended  as  a 
feint  to  attract  the  enemy's  attention  while  the  fleet 
made  the  attempt  to  pass  the  forts.  The  Hartford  and 
Albatross  having  accomplished  the  feat,  the  troops  turned 
back  again  towards  Baton  Rouge.  A  more  desolate 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  71 

and  uncomfortable  night  was  never  passed  by  the  boys 
of  the  50th  than  that  of  March  15th. 

Recrossing  the  bayou,  we  turned  into  the  woods, 
flooded  with  downpours  of  rain  which  continued  till 
morning.  Fires  were  built  and  the  weary  and  exhausted 
men  were  fain  to  catch  a  few  snatches  of  sleep  on  the 
wet  ground,  and  were  then  driven  in  huddling  crowds 
about  the  great  fires,  where  the  steam  evaporated  from 
one  side  of  the  body  while  the  driving  rain  soaked  the 
other;  but  the  longest  night  has  an  end,  and  rarely  has 
the  sun  been  more  joyfully  welcomed  than  on  the  next 
morning.  Its  cheering  rays  revived  hope,  refreshed  ex 
hausted  bodies  and  added  new  hope  and  life  to  discon 
solate  men.  The  clouds  melted  away,  a  clear  sky  suc 
ceeded  the  blackness  of  the  night,  and  the  appearance 
of  the  heavens  animated  the  drooping  spirits  of  the 
troops. 

The  hardships  and  exposures  of  those  two  days  and 
nights  sowed  the  seeds  of  disease,  undermined  the  con 
stitution  of  some  of  the  older  men  of  the  regiment  and 
carried  them  to  early  graves,  but  had  very  little  effect 
upon  the  younger  ones,  boys  as  they  were,  whose  buoyant 
spirits  carried  them  safely  through. 

On  Monday  morning,  March  16th,  Companies  C,  I  and 
K  were  ordered  back  to  Baton  Rouge  as  a  guard  to  the 
ambulance  train,  but  halted  on  the  outskirts  of  the 
city,  where  we  remained  until  afternoon,  resting  and  dry 
ing  off  the  wet  of  the  last  twenty-four  hours.  In  the 
afternoon  the  three  companies  marched  back  to  the 
bayou  and  rejoined  the  regiment,  which  remained  there 
till  Wednesday  morning,  establishing  themselves  in  com 
fortable  booths  which  had  been  constructed  by  the  17th 
New  York  and  were  now  vacated  by  them.  Rations  of 
whiskey  and  lamb  furnished  to  the  men  added  greatly 
to  the  cheerful  feeling  that  had  taken  possession  of  them. 
At  dress  parade  official  orders  were  read  promulgating 
the  fact  that  the  expedition  had  proved  a  perfect  success. 


72  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Loaded  down  with  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition,  we  had 
anticipated  serious  work. 

The  following  correspondence  relating  to  the  advance 
of  March  14  may  be  of  interest  to  the  members  of  the 
regiment : 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BATON  ROUGE,  LA.,  March  13,  1863. 

General:  Anticipating  the  success  of  Admiral  Farragut's  proposed 
attempt  to  run  the  batteries  at  Port  Hudson,  and  to  open  com 
munications  with  you,  I  will  avail  myself  of  the  opportunity  to 
give  you  a  statement  of  our  position,  force  and  intention.  We  have 
at  Baton  Rouge  a  force  of  about  17,000  infantry  and  one  negro 
regiment,  one  regiment  of  heavy  artillery,  with  six  light  batteries, 
a  twenty-pound  battery,  a  dismounted  company  of  artillery,  and 
ten  companies  of  cavalry,  of  which  eight  are  newly  raised  and 
hardly  to  be  counted  on.  Of  these,  three  regiments  of  infantry, 
the  heavy  artillery  (meaning  the  siege  train),  the  dismounted 
artillery  and  one  company  of  cavalry  will  remain  at  Baton  Rouge. 
Leaving  this  force  to  hold  the  position  of  Baton  Rouge,  we  march 
to-day  upon  Port  Hudson  by  the  Bayou  Sara  road,  to  make  a 
demonstration  upon  that  work,  for  the  purpose  of  cooperating  in 
the  movement  of  the  fleet.  The  best  information  we  have  of  the 
enemy's  force  places  it  at  25,000  or  30,000.  This  and  his  position 
preclude  the  idea  of  an  assault  upon  our  part,  and  accordingly 
the  main  object  of  the  present  movement  is  a  diversion  in  favor  of 
the  navy,  but  we  shall  of  course  avail  ourselves  of  any  advantage 
which  occasion  may  offer.  Should  the  admiral  succeed  in  his 
attempt,  I  shall  try  to  open  communication  with  him  on  the  other 
side  of  the  river,  and  in  that  event  trust  I  shall  hear  from  you  as 
to  your  position  and  movements,  and  especially  as  to  your  views 
of  the  most  efficient  modes  of  cooperation  upon  the  part  of  the 
forces  we  respectively  command. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major -General  Commanding. 

Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Commanding  Department  of  the  Tennessee. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  73 

BIVOUAC  AT  SPRINGFIELD  CROSS  ROADS, 
FOURTEEN  MILES  FROM  BATON  ROUGE,  March  14,  1863. 
Sir:  Admiral  Farragut  having  yesterday  notified  me  of  his 
intention  to  pass  up  in  the  afternoon  and  run  by  Port  Hudson  this 
day  or  to-morrow,  I  immediately  put  my  troops  in  motion  which 
had  been  in  readiness  since  the  10th  of  March,  Grover  leading, 
Emory  following  his  march,  and  Augur  bringing  up  the  rear  this 
morning.  We  have  so  far  seen  nothing  of  the  enemy,  except  small 
parties  of  cavalry  who  are  easily  drawn  in.  The  contrabands  who 
have  been  examined  to-day  say  the  enemy  will  make  no  fight 
outside  of  his  works.  The  men  moved  well  and  are  in  good  spirits. 
There  is  very  little  straggling.  The  roads  are  in  good  condition, 
except  where  the  bridges  are  destroyed  or  out  of  repair.  I  shall 
try  to  communicate  with  the  fleet  by  means  of  signals.  We  move 
on  the  Bayou  Sara  road  with  detachments  on  the  Clinton  road, 
and  will  occupy  to-night  the  general  line  of  the  crossroads  to 
Ross  Landing.  I  have  ordered  General  Sherman  to  hold  a  brigade 
of  his  division  and  General  Weitzel  to  hold  his  brigade  in  readiness 
to  join  me  at  a  moment's  notice  in  case  of  necessity,  or  if  it  is  found 
that  the  reinforcements  will  enable  me  to  strike  a  decisive  blow. 
The  movement  of  the  navy  will  take  place  to-night.  The  admiral 
was  delayed  by  the  breaking  down  of  the  engines  of  the  Winona 
and  Essex  (ironclad). 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief,  Washington,  D.C. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
CAMP  NEAR  BATON  ROUGE,  March  15,  1863. 
After  sending  my  despatch  of  yesterday's  date  by  telegraph 
through  General  Sherman,  I  received  a  communication  from  Ad 
miral  Farragut,  forwarded  from  the  signal  station  at  Springfield 
Landing,  informing  me  that  the  fleet  which  was  then  anchored 
near  Profit's  Island  would  move  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening, 
and  that  they  expected  to  have  passed  the  batteries  by  midnight. 
I  immediately  directed  the  best  disposition  of  our  forces  that  cir 
cumstances  would  admit  of,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  position 
has  not  been  reconnoitered,  and  that  the  hasty  reconnoissances 
which  were  immediately  pushed  out  on  all  roads  showed  that  our 
maps  in  many  important  respects  were  very  unreliable.  Of  the 


74  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

enemy's  position  we  had  not  the  information  necessary  to  enable 
us  to  approach  it  with  confidence,  and  had  no  time  to  obtain  such 
information.  Grover's  division  was  placed  in  position  in  front  of 
the  Ross  Landing  crossroads,  his  left  upon  Bayou  Baton  Rouge 
with  detachments  on  the  Clinton  road,  and  the  crossroads  on  the 
right:  Paine's  brigade  of  Emory's  division,  and  two  batteries  of 
the  same  division  on  Grover's  left,  across  the  bayou:  the  remainder 
of  Emory's  division  near  Alexander's:  Augur's  division  at  Vallan- 
digham's.  Our  cavalry  was  pushed  forward  to  the  forks  of  the 
Nettles  and  Ross  Landing  roads,  and  to  the  forks  of  the  Bayou 
Sara  road  near  the  opening  of  what  is  marked  on  the  map  as 
"open  plain,"  and  succeeded  in  gaining  and  holding  these  points. 
I  was  very  anxious  to  get  our  artillery  before  nightfall  in  a  favorable 
position  to  keep  up  a  firing  during  the  night,  with  a  view  of  draw 
ing  off  a  portion  of  the  enemy's  attention  from  the  fleet.  A  small 
bridge  on  the  Ross  Landing  road  was  found  broken  down  so  as 
to  be  impassable  for  artillery,  and  could  not  be  repaired  in  time 
for  me  to  carry  out  this  object,  and  even  had  it  been  otherwise,  our 
uncertainty  as  to  the  precise  position  of  the  enemy  would  have 
rendered  this  fire  of  but  little  effect.  We  heard  nothing  further 
from  the  fleet  until  about  eleven  thirty  P.M.  when  the  sound  of  the 
mortars,  followed  almost  immediately  after  by  a  heavy  cannonade, 
announced  that  the  navy  were  engaged.  The  cannonade  continued 
to  be  heard  at  times  very  distinctly  until  after  two  A.M.,  the  sound 
creeping  slowly  from  left  to  right,  when  it  apparently  ceased. 
Between  two  thirty  and  three  o'clock  a  bright  light  was  seen  above 
the  river  at  about  the  point  which  the  shells  marked  as  the  position 
of  our  mortar  boats.  The  lights  seemed  to  come  from  a  burning 
vessel  which  apparently  drifted  down  the  stream.  Very  frequent 
explosions  were  heard  as  if  proceeding  from  the  burning  craft, 
until  shortly  after  five  o'clock  when  a  terrific  explosion,  as  of  a 
large  magazine,  told  that  the  destruction  was  completed.  The 
course  followed  by  the  sound  of  the  firing  satisfied  me  that  at 
least  a  portion  of  the  fleet  had  succeeded  in  passing  Port  Hudson, 
but  some  fears  were  aroused  for  the  safety  of  the  larger  vessels, 
especially  lest  the  burning  craft  should  have  been  the  Hartford. 
At  about  seven  thirty  A.M.  to-day  I  received  a  despatch,  of  which 
a  copy  is  enclosed,  from  the  signal  officer  stationed  at  Springfield 
Landing,  conveying  definite  information  of  the  result  of  the  engage 
ment.  The  object  of  an  expedition  to  create  a  diversion  in  favor 
of  the  navy  having  now  been  obtained,  not  indeed  so  completely 
as  I  wished,  but  quite  as  much  as  was  possible  under  the  circum 
stances,  and  an  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  being  in  view  of 
our  relative  numbers  out  of  the  question,  I  gave  orders  for  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  75 

troops  to  move  in  and  occupy  the  line  of  the  Bayou  Monticeno,  ex 
tending  across  the  Bayou  Sara,  Clinton  and  Greensburg  roads. 
After  seeing  these  orders  in  process  of  execution,  I  moved  my  head 
quarters,  and  went  into  camp  at  the  forks  of  the  Bayou  Sara  and 
Clinton  roads,  where  I  shall  remain  for  the  present.  I  had  made 
all  the  necessary  arrangements  to  establish  signal  communications 
with  the  admiral  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river,  when  I  was  reliably 
informed  that  the  Hartford  and  Albatross  had  passed  up  the  river 
out  of  sight.  Colonel  Clark,  of  my  staff,  was,  I  regret  to  state, 
severely  but  not  dangerously  wounded,  while  reconnoitering  the 
enemy  in  front  of  our  lines. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief,  Washington,  D.C. 


HEADQUARTERS,  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  March  16,  1863. 
General:  The  enemy's  fleet  came  up  within  range  at  eleven 
o'clock  on  the  night  of  the  i4th,  and  being  discovered,  made  a  terrific 
fight  with  my  batteries  from  eleven  until  two,  attempting  to  pass 
some  vessels  by.  The  result  was,  the  Hartford  (flagship)  passed 
with  the  gunboat  Monongahela  (Albatross}  lashed  on  the  far  side. 
The  Hartford  was  very  much  damaged.  The  frigate  Mississippi 
was  burned  immediately  opposite  and  the  frigate  Richmond  was 
badly  crippled  and  had  to  fall  back.  The  fleet  consisted  of  four 
teen  vessels,  steam  frigates,  sloops  of  war,  gunboats  and  mortar 
boats,  and  all  except  the  mortar  boats  came  within  range.  The 
firing  was  terrific  for  three  hours.  The  enemy  was  very  much 
damaged  in  all  her  vessels  within  range,  and  prisoners  state  the 
loss  must  have  been  as  much  as  200.  Our  loss  was  one  killed  and 
eight  wounded.  I  had  four  steamboats  under  me,  until  the  moment 
of  the  fight,  and  I  then  sent  them  up  the  river.  They  have  all 
escaped,  as  the  Hartford  was  too  badly  damaged  to  pursue.  I 
request  that  you  send  them  back  with  corn  as  soon  as  the  enemy 
passes  beyond  the  Red  River,  which  I  suppose  will  be  the  case  in 
a  day  or  two.  We  have  only  ten  days'  allowance  of  corn. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Lieut. -Gen.  PEMBERTON. 


76  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

HEADQUARTERS,  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  March  18,  1863. 

Colonel:  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the 
engagement  at  this  post  during  the  night  of  the  14th  instant 
with  the  enemy's  fleet.  During  the  day  of  the  14th  the  enemy 
advanced  with  its  entire  force,  two  divisions  by  the  Bayou  Sara 
road  and  one  by  the  direct  road  to  Clinton,  and  moved  his  fleet  up 
the  river  to  within  sight  but  out  of  range.  At  two  P.M.  he  com 
menced  bombardment  slowly  from  his  mortar  boats  at  long  range 
and  gradually  increasing  the  range  until  he  threw  his  shells  within 
the  lower  part  of  the  breastworks.  This  was  continued  until  six, 
without  producing  any  other  results  than  continued  cheers  from  the 
men  as  his  shells  exploded.  During  the  day  Rust's  pickets  (his 
brigade  being  in  advance  of  the  breastworks)  skirmished  success 
fully  with  the  enemy's  advance.  At  eleven  o'clock  at  night  the 
fleet  moved  up,  intending  to  pass  seven  vessels  by,  but  were  dis 
covered  immediately  on  starting  by  the  signal  corps  on  the  op 
posite  side  of  the  river,  who  sent  up  signal  rockets,  and  Rust's 
light  batteries  at  Troth's  opened  on  them.  The  enemy  immediately 
commenced  bombardment  from  his  mortar  boats  and  firing  from 
all  his  vessels  as  he  came  in  range.  They  advanced  in  the  follow 
ing  order,  as  has  been  ascertained  from  prisoners:  steamship  Hart 
ford  (flagship),  with  gunboat  Kineo  (not  Monongahela,  as  reported) 
lashed  on  far  side;  steamship  Richmond,  gunboat  Genesee,  gunboat 
Monongahela,  steamship  Mississippi,  gunboat  Sachem,  another  not 
knowrn,  ironclad  Essex  (remaining  at  long  range)  and  six  mortar 
boats  towed  above  the  point.  While  passing  up  all  opened  their 
broadsides  as  rapidly  as  possible.  Rust's  two  field  batteries  at 
Troth's  Landing  first  received  this  tremendous  firing,  but,  strange 
to  say,  without  any  harm,  although  the  batteries  kept  up  this 
unequal  contest  until  the  last.  Next  was  Miles's  twenty-pounder 
Parrott  gun,  which  was  beautifully  served;  and  then  followed  the 
heavy  guns,  first  DeGourney's  battalion  and  next  the  1st  Ten 
nessee  Artillery  under  DeGourney's  command;  next  the  battery 
served  by  four  companies  of  Colonel  Steedman's  1st  Alabama 
Regiment,  the  remaining  companies  of  this  regiment  being  posted 
on  the  bluff  as  sharpshooters,  but,  unfortunately,  the  enemy  did  not 
come  near  this  bank  until  after  passing  them.  The  five  steamboats 
which  had  brought  the  provisions  from  Red  River  were  unloading 
until  the  morning  of  the  battle,  and  got  under  way  in  time  to  escape. 
The  enemy's  fleet  advanced  boldly  but  were  handsomely  received 
by  our  hatteries.  The  Hartford,  with  the  gunboat  lashed  to  her, 
only  succeeded  in  passing  a  little  before  twelve;  all  the  rest  of  the 
fleet  were  driven  back  and  evidently  much  damaged.  The  Missis 
sippi  was  burned  immediately  opposite,  and  the  Richmond  driven 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  77 

back  after  she  had  reached  the  point.  The  gallant  conduct  and 
skill  of  the  men  at  the  batteries  are  deserving  of  the  highest  praise. 
The  cheerfulness  of  the  whole  command  during  tliis  terrible  bom 
bardment  and  connonading  for  three  hours  gives  evidence  of  the 
stubborn  resistance  the  enemy  will  meet  in  any  attack  on  this  port. 
The  damage  done  to  the  enemy  cannot  be  ascertained,  but  all  could 
see  vessel  after  vessel  withdraw  from  the  fight,  one  drifting  down, 
and  the  enemy  even  discontinued  the  bombardment  when  his 
broadsides  were  out  of  range  about  two  A.M.  The  enemy's  land 
forces  made  an  advance  immediately  after  the  naval  fight,  but 
again  fell  back  a  short  distance,  and  retreated  on  the  afternoon 
and  during  the  night  of  the  15th  instant  with  some  appearance  of 
disorder.  His  main  body  is  over  fifteen  miles  from  here.  Yester 
day  he  landed  troops  from  four  transports  on  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river,  with  the  intention  of  making  a  line  of  communication 
above,  as  I  am  informed  by  deserters,  but  I  have  cut  the  levee, 
which  will  materially  interrupt  him.  My  signal  corps  under  Cap 
tain  Youngblood  has  rendered  the  most  important  service,  and 
driven  back  from  station  to  station,  he  still  continued  to  send  up 
messages  and  send  up  rockets  when  the  fleet  advanced.  I  regret 
to  state  that  Captain  Youngblood  and  perhaps  four  others  have 
been  captured  on  the  other  side  of  the  river. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 

Major-General. 
Lieut.-Col.  J.  R.  WADDY, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

The  Confederate  casualty  in  picket  engagement  and 
during  the  bombardment  of  Port  Hudson  on  the  evening 
and  night  of  March  14th  was  one  killed  and  nineteen 
wounded. 

REPORTS    OF    MAJ.-GEN.    NATHANIEL    P.    BANKS,    U.S. 

ARMY,  COMMANDING  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE 

GULF,    OF  OPERATIONS,  MARCH  7-27 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  March  21,  1863. 

In  pursuance  of  the  plan  suggested  in  my  last  dispatches  the 
fleet  under  the  command  of  Rear-Admiral  Farragut  made  the 
contemplated  effort  for  the  successful  passage  of  the  river  batteries 


78  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

at  Port  Hudson  on  Saturday  evening,  the  14th  instant.  The  fleet 
consisted  of  the  flagship  Hartford,  Monongahela,  Richmond  and 
Mississippi,  with  a  gunboat  lashed  upon  the  port  side  of  the  last 
three  named  vessels.  The  Essex  (ironclad),  Sachem  and  six  mortar 
boats  held  position  below  the  forts,  enfilading  by  their  fire  the 
lower  batteries.  The  fleet  moved  from  Baton  Rouge  on  Friday 
evening  at  four  o'clock,  and  anchored  below  Port  Hudson  until 
eight  o'clock  on  Saturday  evening,  when  it  commenced  the  con 
templated  movement,  and  at  eleven  thirty  o'clock  the  rebel  batteries 
opened  upon  the  leading  ship,  which  was  returned  by  the  fleet 
with  terrific  and  successful  energy  until  one  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

The  passage  was  only  partially  successful.  The  Hartford  with 
the  Albatross  ran  the  gauntlet  successfully.  The  Monongahela 
reached  the  center  batteries,  when  she  was  disabled  by  an  accident 
to  her  machinery  and  fell  back  to  her  former  position.  The  Rich 
mond  was  disabled  by  a  shot  through  her  steam-drum,  and  followed 
the  Monongahela.  The  Mississippi,  having  passed  the  center 
batteries,  ran  argound,  and  after  sustaining  the  concentrated  fire 
of  the  batteries  for  half  an  hour  and  removing  the  sick  and  wounded, 
she  was  fired  and  blown  up  by  order  of  her  commander,  Smith. 
Nothing  was  saved  from  the  ship  but  officers  and  crew,  and  nothing 
was  left  to  the  enemy.  Admiral  Farragut,  with  the  Hartford  and 
Albatross,  was  reported  at  Waterloo  on  Sunday.  The  Richmond, 
Monongahela  and  the  gunboats  Essex  (ironclad),  Sachem,  Genesee 
and  Kineo  reached  Profit's  Island,  three  miles  below  Port  Hudson. 
The  loss  of  life  was  chiefly  sustained  by  the  Mississippi.  It  is 
believed  that  the  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners  will  not  exceed  70. 
The  loss  on  the  other  vessels  was  comparatively  light,  including 
among  the  wounded  the  inestimable  officers  Commander  McKinstry 
of  the  Monongahela,  who  was  injured  by  a  fall  from  the  bridge 
which  was  shot  away,  and  Lieutenant  Cummings  of  the  Richmond, 
who  has  since  died. 

The  land  force  under  my  command,  at  the  suggestion  of  Ad 
miral  Farragut,  moved  to  Baton  Rouge  on  the  7th  instant,  with 
the  exception  of  such  detachments  as  were  necessary  to  hold  the 
several  positions  occupied  by  our  armies  on  the  lower  river.  The 
effective  force  thus  concentrated  at  Baton  Rouge  was  less  than 
17,000  men.  The  non-arrival  of  the  fleet  remaining  at  New  Orleans 
for  repairing  machinery  detained  us  at  Baton  Rouge  until  Friday, 
the  13th  instant,  when  General  Grover's  division  moved  for  Port 
Hudson.  General  Emory's  division  followed  at  daybreak  on  the 
14th  instant,  and  Major-General  Augur's,  the  reserve  at  the  same 
hour.  General  Grover  encamped  near  the  church  at  the  inter 
section  of  the  Bayou  Sara  road  leading  to  the  plain  in  the  rear  of 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  79 

Port  Hudson  and  the  road  to  Springfield  Landing,  where  communi 
cation  was  established  with  the  fleet  on  Saturday,  the  14th  instant, 
at  two  P.M.  General  Emory  moved  a  brigade  on  the  same  road  at 
the  point  of  intersection  with  the  direct  road  to  Port  Hudson  and 
the  road  to  Ross  Landing,  touching  the  lower  line  of  batteries,  and 
another  force  was  posted  near  Springfield  Landing,  to  maintain 
connections  with  the  river  and  fleet,  the  position  being  three  miles 
in  rear  of  land  fortifications,  and  on  the  flank  of  the  lower  rebel 
batteries. 

The  object  of  the  movement  was  to  make  a  diversion  during  the 
passage  of  the  fleet,  and  not  to  make  an  attack  with  the  expectation 
of  carrying  the  works.  The  assistance  of  the  fleet  would  be  indis 
pensable  in  any  determined  attack,  and  the  hope  of  the  naval  and 
land  officers  was,  that  it  might  run  the  batteries  with  as  little  firing 
as  possible.  No  decisive  encounter  with  the  enemy  was  antici 
pated  therefrom,  unless,  as  we  hoped,  they  should  come  out  of 
their  works.  These  positions  were  assumed  at  two  P.M.  on  Satur 
day,  the  14th  instant.  My  intention  was  to  move  the  batteries, 
with  a  protecting  force,  upon  the  Ross  Landing  road,  which  ter 
minated  on  the  bank  of  the  river  on  the  line  of  the  lower  battery. 
This  would  give  us  a  flank  fire,  in  line  with  that  of  the  Essex  and 
Sachem  and  the  mortars,  directly  into  the  land  and  water  fortifi 
cations.  A  part  of  General  Emory's  division  and  the  whole  of 
Grover's  forces,  posted  near  the  junction  of  the  road  to  Ross  Land 
ing  and  the  direct  road  to  Port  Hudson,  would  be  ready  to  advance 
upon  the  rear  of  the  works  if  opportunity  offered,  or  to  repel,  by 
a  flank  attack,  any  force  debouching  upon  the  road  to  attack  the 
batteries.  The  remaining  brigades  of  General  Emory  and  the 
division  of  General  Augur  held  in  reserve  two  miles  in  the  rear 
upon  the  Bayou  Sara  road.  Such  was  the  disposition  of  the  main 
force  at  two  P.M.  on  Saturday,  the  14th  instant. 

While  waiting  for  the  movements  of  the  fleet,  the  minor  dis 
positions  covering  the  position  which  we  held  were  as  follows: 
The  roads  leading  from  Baton  Rouge  are  six  in  number:  first,  the 
Highland  road,  crossing  the  Bayou  Manchac,  and  leading  to  the 
pass  of  that  name;  second,  the  Clay  Cut  road,  with  two  intersect 
ing  roads  cutting  the  Comite  and  Amite  Rivers;  third,  the  Green  well 
Springs  road  leading  directly  to  Camp  Moore;  fourth,  the  Clinton 
road  leading  direct  to  Clinton;  fifth,  the  Bayou  Sara  road,  upon 
which  our  march  was  made;  sixth,  the  road  to  Springfield  Landing, 
which  was  on  line  of  communication  with  the  river. 

We  had  information,  which  could  not  be  disregarded,  that  a 
supporting  force,  in  the  event  of  an  attack  upon  Port  Hudson,  was 
at  an  intermediate  point  between  Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg,  and 


80  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

that  a  cavalry  force  of  1,200  men  was  on  the  Clinton  road,  with 
rumors  of  a  force  on  the  other  side  of  the  Amite  from  Mobile  and 
Camp  Moore.  The  bridges  on  these  roads  were  destroyed  by  my 
order  on  the  day  preceding  our  march,  and  each  intersecting  road 
was  covered  by  a  small  force  by  the  Highland  road  to  that  of  Spring 
field  Landing.  Our  cavalry  being  weak  in  numbers,  the  deficiency 
was  supplied  by  the  infantry.  In  addition  to  these  detachments, 
two  regiments,  under  command  of  Colonel  Chickering  of  the  41st 
Massachusetts,  were  left  at  Baton  Rouge  to  protect  the  camp 
against  the  threatened  cavalry  raids  of  the  enemy. 

The  force  with  which  I  was  enabled  to  move  against  Port  Hudson 
did  not  exceed  12,000  infantry,  a  force  at  the  best  far  inferior  in 
numbers  to  that  of  the  enemy.  The  enemy's  pickets  appeared  on 
all  these  roads,  but  were  promptly  driven  in  as  we  approached  the 
works  without  serious  loss  or  contest  on  our  part.  It  was  my  in 
tention  to  open  fire  upon  the  lower  works  from  the  Ross  Landing 
road.  We  had  relied  for  this  movement  upon  the  map  prepared 
for  this  occasion,  with  great  industry  and  ability,  from  local  county 
maps  and  general  information  obtained  from  the  people.  The 
reconnoissances  of  the  afternoon,  however,  developed  the  fact  that 
the  Ross  Landing  road  did  not  exist,  and  we  were  necessarily  forced 
to  change  the  direction  of  our  operations  to  the  rear  of  the  enemy's 
works  by  the  Port  Hudson  road,  and  to  enter  upon  new  reconnois 
sances  with  that  view.  These  were  pushed  with  vigor  until  dark 
to  within  600  yards  of  the  enemy's  works,  and  preparations  made 
for  moving  our  artillery  upon  that  road.  Up  to  this  moment  it 
had  been  understood  that  the  passage  of  the  fleet  was  to  be  made 
in  the  gray  of  the  morning,  and  not  at  night,  but  at  five  o'clock  I 
received  a  dispatch  from  the  admiral  stating  that  he  should  com 
mence  his  movements  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  It  was 
impossible  for  me  to  construct  bridges  and  repair  the  almost  im 
passable  roads  for  artillery  in  season  to  cooperate  with  the  fleet 
by  a  concentrated  artillery  fire.  I  had  just  left  the  rear  of  the 
enemy's  works  in  company  with  General  Grover,  in  conclusion  of 
the  reconnoissances  of  the  enemy,  when  the  fleet  and  their  batteries 
open  their  fire  at  eleven  thirty  P.M. 

Had  the  original  purpose  been  carried  out,  my  batteries  would 
have  been  in  position  before  morning.  We  had  waited  nearly 
ten  days  for  the  fleet,  detained  by  the  breakage  of  machinery,  and 
lost  the  opportunity  of  crossing  its  fire  with  that  of  our  artillery  in 
the  premature  commencement  of  the  action  by  so  many  hours. 
The  reconnoissances  were  pushed  with  vigor  from  two  o'clock  until 
the  opening  of  the  fleet  at  eleven  P.M.  Whenever  the  enemy's 
pickets  appeared  they  were  driven  in,  cavalry  or  infantry,  until  it 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  81 

was  manifest  they  were  determined  not  to  venture  out  of  the  works 
to  give  or  receive  battle.  In  the  early  part  of  these  movements 
Col.  John  S.  Clark,  of  my  staff,  who  was  near  the  enemy's  line, 
was  seriously  wounded,  his  horse  being  killed  by  the  same  shot 
under  him.  A  captain  of  cavalry  was  also  wrounded  and  captured. 
Several  dead  bodies  were  left  upon  the  ground  by  the  rebels,  and 
some  of  the  wounded  brought  into  our  camp.  The  entire  command 
was  under  arms  during  the  night,  but  no  general  action  occurred. 

Information  having  been  received  from  the  signal  corps  that 
the  Hartford  and  Albatross  had  safely  crossed  at  Springfield  Land 
ing,  and  the  balance  of  the  fleet,  with  the  exception  of  the  Missis 
sippi,  was  in  safety  on  this  side,  the  troops  rested  upon  their  arms 
until  Sunday  evening,  when  they  fell  back  near  Bayou  Monticeno, 
and  encamped  from  five  to  eight  miles  from  Baton  Rouge.  On 
Tuesday  the  troops  again  advanced  upon  the  Clinton  and  Bayou 
Sara  roads,  the  enemy's  pickets  retiring  before  them  but  offering 
no  serious  resistance,  returning  to  camp  during  the  night. 

It  has  been  understood,  in  the  event  of  the  passage  of  any  portion 
of  the  fleet,  that  communication  with  the  river  above  Port  Hudson 
should  be  made  by  the  army.  Accordingly  two  regiments,  with  a 
section  of  artillery,  and  a  company  of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Parmele 
of  New  York,  were  sent  on  Monday,  the  16th  instant,  to  force  a 
passage  from  opposite  Profit's  Island,  under  protection  of  the  fleet, 
to  some  point  above  Port  Hudson. 

The  rebels  having  cut  the  state  levee  opposite  Port  Hudson,  with 
a  view  to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  troops  by  the  flood,  I  sent 
forward  on  Wednesday  a  brigade  under  command  of  Colonel  Dud 
ley  of  the  30th  Massachusetts,  with  instructions  to  make  a  passage 
by  the  bed  of  False  River  if  necessary,  or  to  ascertain  and  report 
definitely  the  obstructions  which  should  make  it  impracticable. 
I  accompanied  this  expedition  with  several  of  my  staff  officers, 
moving  up  the  river  opposite  the  batteries  within  range  of  the 
enemy's  guns.  A  full  view  of  the  batteries  was  obtained,  of  which 
complete  sketches  were  made  by  the  topographical  and  engineer 
officers,  who  advanced  to  the  cut.  The  crevasse,  occasioned  by 
the  cutting  of  the  state  levee,  is  about  sixty  yards  wide,  and  had 
obtained  a  depth  of  two  and  one-half  feet.  This  was  easily  forded 
by  the  cavalry  and  infantry,  but  the  rise  of  the  water  having  swept 
away  the  bridges,  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish  the  course  of 
the  bayous,  making  the  passage  impracticable  except  for  horsemen. 
Subsequently  Colonel  Paine  of  the  2d  Louisiana  Infantry,  with  a 
detachment  of  his  command,  crossed  to  the  river  about  three  miles 
above  Port  Hudson,  commanding  a  view  of  the  river,  but  failed  to 
obtain  any  information  of  the  fleet  above.  Colonel  Dudley  to-day 


82  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

makes  an  effort  to  reach  Waterloo,  six  miles  above  the  forts,  after 
which  he  will  return  with  his  command  to  Baton  Rouge. 

Thursday  evening  three  small  river  steamers  came  down  the 
river  and  rested  under  the  batteries.  They  appeared  to  me  to  have 
come  from  Thompson's  Creek,  two  miles  above  Port  Hudson,  and 
to  be  intended  for  the  transport  of  troops  across  the  river  to  meet 
our  troops.  No  resistance  has  been  offered  to  them,  however, 
except  from  the  batteries  at  the  fort.  To-day  I  expect  a  report 
of  the  final  result  of  this  reconnoissance. 

The  force  of  the  enemy  on  the  river  front  is  not  less  than  thirty 
or  forty  guns,  in  strong  works  and  position.  The  land  fortifications 
extend  from  near  Ross  Landing  to  the  creek  above  the  river  batteries, 
encompassed  by  strong  field  works,  and  defended  at  intervals  with 
field  artillery  and  a  garrison  of  not  less  than  20,000  men.  Its 
strength  is,  however,  in  the  power  of  concentrating  troops  at  this 
point.  The  utmost  force  I  can  bring  to  its  assault  or  investment 
will  not  exceed  17,000  men,  without  abandoning  to  the  enemy 
vital  points  on  the  Lower  Mississippi.  My  conviction  is  now  more 
firm  than  before  this  reconnoissance  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of 
the  troops  under  my  command  to  carry  this  position  by  assault  or 
siege  without  re-enforcements.  It  is  universally  represented  by 
the  enemy  to  be  stronger  than  Vicksburg.  I  cannot  doubt  that  in 
itself  it  is  so.  My  command  is  ready  to  make  the  assault,  but  my 
conviction  is  strong  that  it  would  end  in  the  useless  sacrifice  of  my 
men.  We  are  now  in  the  best  possible  position  to  make  an  attack, 
if  in  sufficient  force.  The  Hartford  and  Albatross  can  enfilade  the 
works  from  above,  the  balance  of  the  fleet  from  below.  A  heavy 
battery  could  now  easily  be  planted  on  the  opposite  side  in  front 
of  these  works.  The  river  batteries  could  not  resist  the  concen 
trated  fire.  A  land  force  moving  at  the  same  time  upon  the  rear, 
equal  to  the  garrison,  and  capable  of  meeting  promptly  any  re- 
enforcements,  would  complete  the  certain  reduction  or  evacuation 
of  the  post.  This  requires  re-enforcements  here  and  cooperation 
of  the  forces  near  Vicksburg  which,  I  hope,  may  be  secured.  This 
is  worth  an  earnest  effort.  I  can  but  repeat  the  opinion  expressed 
in  previous  dispatches,  that  the  freedom  of  the  Mississippi  is  a 
suppression  of  this  Rebellion.  The  object  expected  to  be  obtained 
by  running  the  batteries  were:  first,  communication  with  the  land 
and  naval  forces  at  Vicksburg;  second,  defeating  the  construction 
of  new  batteries  before  Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg;  third,  cutting 
off  supplies  by  the  Red  River;  fourth,  obtaining  an  opportunity 
to  enfilade  the  Red  River  batteries  from  above;  and  fifth,  the  de 
struction  of  the  rebel  steamers  in  the  river.  All  these  objects  have 
been  successfully  accomplished  except  the  last,  and,  with  the  ex- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  83 

ception  of  the  loss  of  the  Mississippi,  none  of  the  anticipated 
injuries  have  been  sustained.  The  complete  success  of  the  expedi 
tion  may  be  thus  justly  assumed. 

General  Weitzel  informs  me  that  the  Queen  of  the  West  and  the 
Webb  are  at  Butte-a-la-Rose,  on  the  Atchafalaya,  threatening  an 
attack  upon  his  position  (the  enclosed  dispatches  show  the  position 
he  occupies).  It  is  impossible  to  send  the  gunboats  he  desires 
immediately,  but  in  all  other  respects  he  will  be  strengthened  at 
once. 

It  is  my  purpose  to  commence  without  delay  military  movements 
upon  the  Atchafalaya  or  the  Teche,  which  were  interrupted  by 
naval  and  land  expeditions  to  Port  Hudson.  I  beg  leave  to  assure 
you  that  no  time  will  be  lost  hereafter  in  action.  My  troops  are  in 
good  health  and  in  the  best  spirits  and  condition.  Insufficient 
land  and  water  transportation  and  the  weakness  of  the  cavalry 
are  the  only  obstacles  that  we  shall  now  encounter,  and  these  are 
being  strengthened  every  day. 

In  our  movements  beyond  the  lines  of  the  army  I  have  appro 
priated  all  the  products  of  the  country  to  the  use  of  the  govern 
ment,  not  allowing  speculators  to  follow  us  and  buy  and  sell  under 
cover  of  our  forces.  In  the  recent  expedition  to  Port  Hudson  not 
less  than  $300,000  worth  of  cotton  and  sugar,  seized  by  the  officers 
of  the  government,  had  been  turned  over  to  the  chief  quarter 
master  of  the  department.  Receipts  have  been  given  therefor  to 
the  parties  from  which  the  property  has  been  taken,  stating  fully 
the  circumstances  under  which  the  seizure  has  been  made.  I  shall 
pursue  this  course  hereafter  unless  otherwise  directed  by  the  gov 
ernment,  and  entertain  no  doubt  the  department  expenses  can 
in  a  great  degree  be  defrayed.  I  returned  to  New  Orleans  from  Port 
Hudson  last  evening,  and  shall  to-day  go  to  the  headquarters  of 
General  Weitzel.  I  have  ordered  General  Grover's  division  to 
move  from  Baton  Rouge  to  his  support  immediately.  I  cannot 
close  this  dispatch  without  again  referring  to  the  total  insufficiency 
of  the  forces  and  material  within  my  reach  for  the  work  that  is 
expected  of  me  in  this  department.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
To  Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK. 


Tuesday,  March  17.     The  regiment  was  called  out  at 
four  this  morning,  and  again  was  ordered  to  fall  in  this 


84  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

afternoon  when  we  deployed  through  the  woods,  expecting 
a  brush  with  the  enemy. 

Wednesday,  March  18.  The  brigade  returned  to 
Baton  Rouge,  reaching  the  parade  ground  at  two  P.M., 
and  after  a  hot  and  tiresome  march  was  dismissed  to 
regimental  and  company  quarters  where  knapsacks  and 
overcoats  were  left,  two  days'  ration  taken  and  the  line 
formed  in  an  hour  for  an  expedition  up  the  river. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  85 

CHAPTER  VIII 

EXPEDITION   TO    WINTER'S    PLANTATION 

WEDNESDAY,  March  18,  1863.  General  Dudley's 
brigade,  accompanied  by  a  company  of  cavalry 
and  a  battery  of  artillery,  embarked  on  steamers, 
the  50th  going  on  board  the  Morning  Light.  We  got 
under  way  about  eight  in  the  evening  and,  after  steaming 
up  the  river  some  ten  miles  in  the  fog  and  darkness,  were 
carried  through  a  crevasse  in  the  levee  up  on  to  a  planta 
tion,  where  for  the  time  being  the  boat  was  stuck  hard 
and  fast.  It  was  a  novel  spectacle  presented  to  view  as 
the  first  gleam  of  morning  lighted  up  the  horizon  and 
exhibited  buildings  half  submerged  and  the  entire  terri 
tory  under  water.  But  then  we  were  in  a  very  awkward 
predicament  for  an  expedition  started  out  on  an  aggressive 
movement,  for  the  time  being  at  least,  little  better  than 
prisoners  of  war.  Fuel  was  crowded  on  to  the  fire  and 
every  effort  made  to  get  up  sufficient  steam  to  start  the 
wheels,  but  in  vain,  until  about  three  in  the  afternoon, 
when  we  finally  succeeded  in  getting  off  and  reaching 
once  more  the  channel  of  the  river.  A  mast  was  dropped 
perpendicularly  into  the  water,  and  the  bow  of  the  boat 
was  raised  by  means  of  blocks  and  ropes,  and  then  the 
engine  started,  by  means  of  which  an  impetus  was  given 
to  the  craft.  Continuing  on  we  were  landed  at  Winter's 
Plantation  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi  about  four 
or  five  miles  below  Port  Hudson,  preceded  by  the  rest  of 
the  troops,  who  had  reached  there  during  the  night. 

Here  was  an  ideal  Louisiana  sugar  plantation,  exhibit 
ing  the  thrift,  wealth  and  refinement  which  characterized 
a  select  and  exclusive  class  of  southerners  before  the  war. 
In  the  first  place  there  was  the  white  and  attractive 


86  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

mansion  of  one  story,  with  high  and  airy  apartments 
and  broad  piazzas  facing  the  water.  In  the  yard  at  the 
rear  of  the  house  stood  the  numerous  outbuildings,  in 
cluding  cook  house,  wash  house,  bacon  house  and  other 
various  structures  which  formed  part  of  the  curtilage. 
A  little  distance  away  was  located  the  large  sugar  house, 
a  substantial  brick  building  fitted  up  with  machinery 
and  filled  with  sugar  and  molasses.  Alongside  the  river 
two  rows  of  cabins  facing  each  other  were  the  negro 
quarters,  at  the  farther  end  of  which  stood  the  overseer's 
house,  the  hospital  and  the  caboose,  the  implements  of 
punishment  for  unruly  slaves  still  there.  It  was  a 
baronial  estate,  whose  master  within  certain  limitations 
must  have  had  the  power  of  an  absolute  despot.  Under 
such  conditions  and  with  such  surroundings  it  would 
have  been  singular  indeed  if  the  ruling  clases  of  the  South 
had  not  been  aristocratic  and  arrogant.  It  was  the 
natural  and  necessary  result  of  their  environment. 

The  50th  Regiment  occupied  the  negro  quarters  on 
one  side  of  the  street  and  the  30th  on  the  other,  while 
the  field  officers  of  the  two  regiments  were  quartered  in 
the  overseer's  house  and  the  band  in  the  hospital.  The 
mansion  house  served  as  headquarters  for  General  Dudley, 
and  the  rest  of  the  brigade  took  possession  of  the  remain 
ing  buildings. 

Friday,  March  20.  The  Monongahela  steamed  up  this 
morning  and  paid  her  respects  to  the  rebels,  and  the 
Genesee  threw  some  shells  into  the  Confederate  fortifica 
tions  and  a  steamer  that  lay  protected  under  their  guns, 
but  elicited  no  response.  A  foraging  expedition  has  been 
out  into  the  country  to-day,  and  returned  driving  in 
large  numbers  of  cattle,  sheep  and  mules  and  accompanied 
by  numerous  contrabands. 

Saturday,  March  21.  Magee's  cavalry  came  up  this 
morning  bringing  in  several  prisoners.  More  shells  were 
thrown  this  afternoon  over  into  Port  Hudson.  In  ad 
dition  to  the  Genesee  and  Monongahela  are  the  Richmond, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  87 

the  ironclad  Essex,  gunboats  Nos.  2  and  3,  the  Winona,  and 
a  mortar  fleet  of  small  schooners,  so  that  quite  a  formida 
ble  fleet  furnishes  ample  protection  to  our  brigade. 

No  season  of  the  year  in  Louisiana  can  be  more  beauti 
ful  than  the  latter  part  of  March.  Vegetation  has  burst 
forth  with  wanton  luxuriance.  The  green  foliage  of  the 
trees,  flowers  in  bloom,  and  a  soft  and  balmy  atmosphere 
offer  a  seductive  charm  to  a  climate  so  extreme  in  con 
trast  at  this  time  of  the  year  with  the  raw  and  searching 
winds  of  a  New  England  March.  And  then  the  interest 
and  excitement  as  we  watched  the  movements  of  the 
boats,  and  listened  to  the  shells  screeching  through  the 
air,  as  the  great  guns  of  the  fleet  boomed  away,  added 
zest  to  life,  and  doubly  so  because,  while  we  felt  secure 
ourselves,  all  the  danger  seemed  to  be  on  the  other  side. 
Altogether  the  week  passed  at  Winter's  Plantation  made 
up  one  of  the  pleasantest  chapters  in  the  history  of  the 
50th  Regiment. 

*"  Sunday,  March  22.  No  preaching  to-day,  but  we 
rested.  Late  in  the  afternoon  the  brigade  was  called  out 
in  regiments,  and  General  Dudley  made  some  short  and 
energetic  remarks,  stating  that  he  expected  before  morn 
ing  we  should  receive  an  attack.  About  five  miles  above 
us,  on  the  same  side  of  the  river,  is  a  large  force  of  the 
enemy,  and  there  is  nothing  between  us  to  intercept  their 
approach.  Every  caution  would  be  taken  to  prevent  a 
surprise,  and  if  every  man  would  do  his  duty  with  the 
aid  of  the  gunboats,  we  would  give  them  -  — .  When 
we  were  dismissed  the  orders  were  to  rest  with  equip 
ments  on.  The  artillery  was  posted  in  front  to  rake  the 
approaches,  and  horses  and  men  stood  at  their  posts 
during  the  livelong  night.  The  gunboats  lay  alongside 
the  levee,  and  the  old  ironclad  Essex  came  into  line 
ready  for  duty.  The  rain  fell  in  torrents,  the  lightning 
played,  the  thunder  rolled  and  the  wind  blew  like  a 
tornado.  High  trees  that  had  withstood  the  war  of 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


88  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

elements  for  generations  were  laid  low,  but  amid  the 
wreck  not  a  Confederate  showed  his  visage,  and  we  awoke 
to  blue  skies  and  a  sunny  morning. 

"  Tuesday,  March  24.  The  cavalry  went  up  the  river 
to-day,  burned  a  rebel  steamer,  destroyed  a  great  amount 
of  property,  consisting  of  grain,  molasses,  sugar,  etc.,  and 
brought  in  five  or  six  prisoners  and  a  large  deputation 
of  citizens,  among  whom  was  a  Catholic  priest  in  canon 
icals,  and  a  very  pleasant  man  he  is.  Fearing  that  they 
may  furnish  information  to  the  enemy,  they  are  detained 
as  prisoners  till  we  return  to  Baton  Rouge.  They  are 
kept  in  one  of  the  large  rooms  of  the  house,  and  sentinels 
are  placed  at  every  door.  About  midnight  General 
Dudley  went  the  rounds  to  see  how  well  the  men  did 
guard  duty,  and  came  through  the  room.  The  prisoners 
were  all  spread  out  on  the  floor  asleep,  and  at  one  door 
little  Frank  -  -  had  been  stationed  on  guard,  and  being 
just  a  little  tired  was  sitting  with  his  back  against  the 
door,  his  head  resting  on  his  knees,  his  musket  lying  on 
an  arm  and  drowsy  enough  not  to  hear  the  general  when 
he  entered.  General  Dudley  stepped  up  very  briskly  and 
caught  hold  of  the  gun,  and  Frank  as  briskly  came  to  his 
feet  holding  on  grimly  with  both  hands  to  the  musket, 
the  two  looking  each  other  in  the  eye  for  an  instant,  when 
the  general  burst  out  with,  'This  is  no  way  to  do  guard 
duty,  one  of  these  prisoners  could  take  away  your  gun 
from  you  in  a  moment.'  'Not  by  a  -  — ,'  said 

Frank,  and  he  looked  so  earnest  and  determined  that 
General  Dudley  evidently  believed  it,  for  he  broke  into  a 
hearty  laugh. 

"Wednesday,  March  25.  The  spoils  of  war  are  still 
being  gathered  and  placed  where  they  will  do  the  most 
good.  The  demoralizing  effects  of  stealing  in  high  places 
found  its  counterpart  among  the  men.  Lieutenant  - 
has  charge  of  the  commissary  department  for  the  gen 
eral's  household.  What  his  antecedents  are  is  not  known, 
but  the  general  opinion  as  now  expressed  is  that  he  is  a 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  89 

'dead  beat.'  Last  night  somebody  in  a  clandestine 
manner  abstracted  a  live  pig  which  he  promised  himself 
should  tickle  his  palate  to-day,  and  visions  of  roast  pig 
floated  in  his  morning  dreams,  but  when  the  pig  was 
called  to  come,  no  pig  was  there.  Company  K's  cooking 
department  was  quite  near  where  the  disappointed  staff 
officer  had  left  his  porcine  friend,  and  the  guilt  was 
laid  at  its  door.  He  knew,  he  said,  the  pig  went  up 
those  stairs  and  it  may  be  that  he  was  more  than  half 
right,  but  he  could  not  get  any  satisfaction,  and  so 
crossed  the  yard  and  laid  the  charge  to  Company  A  of 
the  30th.  They  were  in  the  same  blissful  ignorance,  and 
upon  his  opening  on  them  Captain  F.  took  the  matter 
up,  and  outranking  as  well  as  outtalking  him,  it  was  a 
privilege  just  then  to  be  a  private  and  hear  the  fun. 
'You  talk  about  stealing/  said  Captain  F.,  'you,  the 
most  notorious  thief  in  the  department,  around  here 
accusing  men  of  stealing  your  pig.'  The  meeting  was 
short,  but  the  time  was  all  taken  up.  -  of  the  staff 

had  great  odds  to  contend  with,  and  so  quietly  withdrew. 
"Thursday,  March  26.  Between  twelve  and  one  last 
night  the  long  roll  beat  and  the  men  fell  into  equipments 
and  tumbled  into  line  at  short  notice,  anticipating  an 
attack  from  the  enemy,  but  it  proved  to  be  only  a  call 
for  the  brigade  to  make  preparations  for  a  return  to 
Baton  Rouge,  and  Winter's  Plantation  was  left  in  its 
lonely  solitude;  but  those  lively  times  will  long  live  in 
the  memory  of  the  men,  who  in  after  years  will  gather 
together  and  fight  their  battles  over  again.  The  dim 
uncertainty  which  surrounds  us  at  present,  the  knowl 
edge  of  what  we  are  here  for,  the  liability  of  what  may 
happen  to  any  one  of  us,  and  of  what  must  surely  happen 
to  some  of  us,  throw  a  chill  over  our  thoughts  and  feel 
ings  which  all  the  excitement  of  camp  and  the  continual 
changes  by  marches  and  raids  cannot  entirely  dispel. 
After  a  pleasant  sail  down  the  river  we  arrived  at  Baton 
Rouge  and  again  rested  on  the  old  camp  ground." 


90  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

The  following  correspondence  relates  to  the  expedition 
to  Winter's  Plantation: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.,  March  27,  1863. 

Sir:  Since  my  dispatch  of  the  21st  instant  (which  should  have 
been  No.  7),  the  force  consisting  of  Dudley's  brigade  and  the 
174th  New  York,  of  Chapin's  brigade,  of  Augur's  division,  two 
sections  of  Arnold's  battery  (G),  Fifth  Artillery,  two  companies 
(D  and  E)  of  the  2d  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  and  Magee's  company 
(B)  of  Massachusetts  Unattached  Cavalry,  all  under  the  command 
of  Col.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  30th  Massachusetts,  has  succeeded  in 
opening  communication  with  a  point  of  the  river  near  the  mouth  of 
False  River,  above  Port  Hudson. 

A  party  of  cavalry  sent  forward  from  a  detachment  consisting 
of  the  174th  New  York  and  2d  Louisiana,  under  Charles  J.  Paine 
of  the  latter  regiment,  reached  that  point  on  the  19th.  Colonel 
Paine,  who  led  this  party  in  person,  reports  that  he  could  discover 
no  sign  of  the  Hartford  or  Albatross,  and  could  hear  nothing  of 
them.  Contrabands  and  deserters  reported  that  the  admiral  had 
passed  up  the  river. 

On  the  20th  four  steamers  were  seen  to  arrive  at  Port  Hudson, 
said  to  be  from  Red  River.  Five  quite  intelligent  negroes,  who  came 
down  from  Natchez  in  skiffs,  reported  that  two  of  our  big  ships 
had  passed  that  point  on  their  way  up,  said  to  be  part  of  the  fleet 
engaged  at  Port  Hudson.  It  seemed  almost  certain  therefore  that 
the  admiral  had  passed  the  mouth  of  Red  River  and  gone  to  Vicks- 
burg.  My  object  in  sending  this  force  across  the  river  was  there 
fore  attained,  but  upon  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Commander 
Alden,  Colonel  Dudley  was  permitted  to  remain  at  Winter's  Planta 
tion  for  several  days  longer,  in  hopes  that  the  Hartford  might  return 
in  the  early  part  of  the  week,  and  with  the  purpose  of  affording  to 
Admiral  Farragut  an  opportunity  of  rejoining  in  person  the  main 
force  of  his  fleet,  still  below  Port  Hudson,  and  of  transferring  his 
flag  to  another  vessel,  as  he  would  probably  desire  to  do. 

On  the  25th,  however,  still  hearing  nothing  of  the  admiral,  and 
having  put  the  divisions  of  Grover  and  Emory  under  marching 
orders,  I  ordered  Colonel  Dudley  to  rejoin  the  division  at  Baton 
Rouge.  It  is  reported  to  me  to-day  that  these  orders  have  been 
executed.  Should  the  admiral  return  to  the  vicinity  of  Port  Hud 
son  he  will  undoubtedly  be  seen  or  heard  of  by  the  fleet  lying  just 
below  that  place.  I  think  we  can  easily  establish  and  maintain 
communication  with  him.  Incidentally  to  the  main  object  of 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  91 

the  expedition,  Colonel  Dudley  succeeded  in  securing  considerable 
supplies  of  fresh  beef,  sugar,  molasses  and  cotton  and  a  number 
of  horses  and  mules.  The  fresh  beef  especially  was  a  welcome 
addition  to  the  supplies  of  both  the  army  and  navy.  Copies  of 
the  reports  of  Colonels  Dudley  and  Parmele,  dated  respectively  17th 
and  19th  instant,  are  enclosed.  I  take  leave  to  bring  to  your 
especial  notice  the  energy,  professional  skill  and  correct  judgment 
displayed  in  the  management  of  this  expedition,  after  he  assumed 
command  of  it,  by  that  excellent  and  zealous  officer,  Col.  N.  A.  M. 
Dudley,  30th  Massachusetts,  commanding  the  3d  Brigade  of  Augur's 
division. 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding 
To  Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief,  Washington,  D.C. 

HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION, 

March  19,  1863. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the  major 
general  commanding,  the  result  of  the  reconnoissance  made  by  the 
troops  under  my  command  to-day.  I  sent,  under  the  command  of 
Col.  C.  J.  Paine  of  the  2d  Louisiana  Volunteers,  174th  New  York 
Volunteers,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Gott,  the 
2d  Louisiana  Volunteers,  Lieutenant-Colonel  Everett,  and  a  de 
tachment  of  the  2d  Rhode  Island  Cavalry,  in  a  direction  directly 
opposite  Port  Hudson.  Finding  the  water  too  deep  for  his  infantry, 
he  took  his  cavalry,  and  after  a  march  of  four  miles  reached  the 
Mississippi  River  above  Port  Hudson.  I  respectfully  refer  the 
commanding  officer  to  his  report  of  a  discharge  of  the  duty  assigned 
him.  Colonel  Paine,  by  his  personal  courage,  military  skill  and 
indomitable  perseverance,  has  almost  individually  accomplished 
the  object  for  which  hundreds  of  troops  were  deemed  necessary. 
I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY, 
Colonel  and  Acting  Brigadier-General  Commanding. 

Col.  RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

CAMP  NEAR  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  March  19,  1863. 
Captain:   I  have  to  report  for  the  information  of  the  command 
ing  officer,  that  in  obedience  to  verbal  instructions  I  proceeded  with 
two  regiments  of  infantry,  the  2d  Louisiana  and  174th  New  York, 


92  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  about  twenty  cavalry  at  two  P.M.  directly  inland  from  this 
point.  After  marching  about  a  mile  the  country  was  so  flooded 
with  water  that  I  left  the  infantry,  and  went  on  with  the  cavalry, 
leaving  squads  of  them  behind  to  watch  the  bridge  and  two  cross 
roads.  Reaching  a  bay  (marked  on  the  map  False  River),  I  turned 
to  the  right  and  galloped  to  the  Mississippi,  striking  it  about  two 
miles  from  and  above  Port  Hudson  and  at  the  mouth  of  False 
River.  I  examined  the  river  for  ships  of  war,  but  could  see  none. 
I  examined  the  banks  of  Port  Hudson,  and  could  see  no  vessels, 
except  one  small  river  steamboat  painted  white.  Part  of  the  shore 
on  the  west  side  of  the  Mississippi  River  and  above  False  River 
was  not  in  sight,  and  could  not  be  seen  by  any  one  on  the  south 
side  of  False  River,  which  cannot  be  forded.  A  good  road  crosses 
False  River  at  a  dike  about  a  mile  from  its  mouth. 
I  am,  Captain,  respectfully, 
Your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  J.  PAINE, 
Colonel  2d  Louisiana  Volunteers,  Commanding  Expedition. 

Captain  SPEED, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  THIRD  BRIGADE,  FIRST  DIVISION, 
BIVOUAC  OPPOSITE  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  March  25,  1863. 
Enclosed  I  have  the  honor  to  send  an  official  copy  of  the  report 
of  a  very  successful  expedition  which  I  sent  out  yesterday  morning 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Magee,  supported  by  two  others 
sent  on  his  flanks,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant  Bean  of  my  staff. 
His  detailed  report  will  give  the  general  commanding  full  particu 
lars  of  all  the  facts.  Captain  Magee  is  entitled  to  the  highest  com 
mendation  for  the  prompt  and  perfect  execution  of  the  orders 
given  him.  He,  with  his  whole  command,  was  over  five  hours  in 
the  water.  The  perseverance  of  his  men  and  officers  is  only  sur 
passed  by  their  perfect  success.  Lieutenant  Bean  volunteered  to 
accompany  the  expedition.  Captain  Magee  speaks  in  the  warmest 
terms  of  his  gallantry  and  zeal. 

I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY, 
Colonel  and  Acting  Brigadier-General. 
Capt.  GEORGE  B.  HALSTED, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  93 

BIVOUAC  OPPOSITE  PORT  HUDSON,  March  24,  1863. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  submit,  for  the  information  of  the 
commanding  officer,  the  following  report  of  an  expedition  made  to 
day  by  my  company,  in  accordance  with  the  orders  received  this 
morning.  I  left  the  bivouac  of  the  command  at  ten  A.M.,  and 
under  the  guidance  of  a  Creole,  a  prisoner  in  our  hands,  formerly 
a  resident  of  the  region,  proceeded  to  the  Hermitage  Landing,  a 
point  at  the  head  of  the  lower  mouth  of  the  False  River  and  nearly 
opposite  Port  Hudson.  The  route  for  about  three  miles  was  through 
a  dense  forest,  overflowed  with  water  very  deep  for  horses,  inter 
sected  at  many  points  by  bayous  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  deep, 
and  distance  across  from  thirty  to  fifty  yards  which  our  horses  had 
to  swim.  On  arriving  at  the  main  road  which  runs  parallel  with 
the  south  levee  of  the  False  River,  myself  and  Lieutenant  Bean, 
who  accompanied  me  on  the  expedition  and  rendered  me  most 
valuable  aid,  and  who  contributed  much  toward  our  success,  rode 
to  the  point  to  reconnoiter.  On  discovering  no  enemy  at  the  point 
where  a  considerable  force  was  found  two  days  before,  I  moved 
my  command  forward  to  the  dike  where  the  rebel  steamer  Hope, 
loaded  with  600  barrels  of  molasses,  lay,  which,  in  the  execution 
of  your  order,  I  burned  with  its  freight.  I  then  left  a  portion  of 
my  men  in  the  rear,  and  proceeded  with  the  balance  to  the  junction 
of  the  False  and  Mississippi  Rivers  (Hermitage  Landing),  where 
I  found  over  1,000  barrels  of  molasses,  all  of  which  I  destroyed  or 
rolled  into  the  river.  At  this  point  I  found  a  rebel  machine  shop, 
at  present  used  as  a  repair  shop  for  guns.  This  was  burned  with 
its  contents,  together  with  government  granary  containing  15,000 
bushels  of  corn,  intended  for  Port  Hudson.  After  destroying  all 
the  property,  including  a  drug  store  having  a  large  assortment  of 
valuable  medicines,  and  some  outbuildings,  one  the  post  office, 
I  then  proceeded  to  two  or  three  points  on  the  Mississippi  where 
I  had  a  full  view  of  the  river  four  or  five  miles  above  Waterloo. 
Neither  the  Hartford  nor  Albatross  were  in  sight,  and  no  accurate 
information  could  be  obtained  from  either  whites  or  contrabands 
of  their  whereabouts.  Believing  I  had  carried  out  Acting  Briga 
dier-General  Dudley's  instructions,  I  started  on  my  return,  when 
I  discovered  three  of  the  enemy  at  a  short  distance  in  the  wood, 
pursued  them,  caught  them,  and  turned  them  over  to  the  guard. 
I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  M.  MAGEE, 
Captain  Id  Unattached  Massachusetts  Cavalry, 

Commanding  Detached  Expedition. 
Captain  SPEED, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


94 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


HEAVY  ORDNANCE  AT  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  MARCH  27,  1863. 


COMMANDERS 

BATTERIES 

CALIBER 

KIND 

NUMBER 

WEIGHT 

DATE 

FOTJNDERY 

Capt.  Whitfield.. 

No.  1 

Four  62s 

Parrott 

(*) 

70.10.00 

(*) 

(*) 

( 

42-pounder 

Smooth-bore 

239 

70.2.05 

1822 

(*) 

Lieut.  Harman  .  . 

No.  2\ 

24-pounder 

Rifle 

1 

55.73 

1836 

(*) 

\ 

24-pounder 

11 

*2 

56.41 

1826 

(*) 

Capt.  Riley  .    . 

( 

30-pounder 

•  i 

123 

71.41 

1834 

M.  C.  W.  &  Co. 

No.3  j 

42-pounder 

Smooth-bore 

183 

(*) 

(*) 

J.C.&Co.,  B.F.,Va. 

Capt.  Sea  well  .  .  . 

No.  4  1 

8-inch 
10-inch 

Columbiad 

63 
5 

10.5.00 
13.800 

1862 
1862 

(*) 
T.  J.  W.,  Va. 

10-inch 

« 

(*) 

13.380 

1862 

J.  R.  &  Co.,  T.  F. 

Capt.  Ramsey.  .  . 

42-pounder 

Smooth-bore 

163 

(*) 

(*) 

J.  C.  &Co.,B.  F.,Va. 

32-pounder 

" 

4 

61.1.21 

*182 

(*) 

Capt.  Kean  .... 

No.  6^! 

24-pounder 

Rifle 

58 

5550 

1828 

(*) 

24-pounder 

" 

73 

5550 

1828 

(*) 

Capt.  Sparkman, 

No.7  j 

24-pounder 
24-pounder 

Smooth-bore 

11 
74 

5515 
5550 

1835 
1828 

(*) 
(*) 

Capt.  Coffin  

No.8  j 

24-pounder 
24-pounder 

Rifle 

11 
6 

5562 
5562 

1826 
1836 

(*) 
M.  C.  W.  &  Co. 

Capt.  Le  Bisque. 

No.9  j 

8-inch 
32-pounder 

Shell  gun 
Smooth-bore 

264 
229 

62.2.12 
42.2.05 

1842 
1845 

A.  S.  W. 
A.  S.  W. 

*  Either  not  marked  or  so  defaced  by  time,  paint,  etc.,  as  not  to  be  distinguishable. 


S.    3 


"     KiO 

>3     SOQ^ 


CX.       K!         — 

»     a*    K- 


3 :  a) 

2-1-'  ^4 


CO  ^ 

«        2 


P         5' 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  95 


CHAPTER   IX 

DEPARTURE  OF  TROOPS  FOR  THE  TECHE  COUNTRY GEN 
ERAL  DUDLEY'S  BRIGADE  REMAINS  TO  GARRISON  BATON 

ROUGE DEATH   OF   DR.   FRENCH  —  ARRIVAL   OF 


FRIDAY,  March  27.  There  was  an  inspection  of 
brigade  to-day,  and  a  march  through  the  city  down 
to  the  river.  Most  of  the  troops  are  leaving  for  an 
expedition  to  the  Teche  country,  and  General  Dudley  is 
to  remain  here  with  his  brigade  and  some  other  troops 
and  a  portion  of  the  fleet  to  garrison  the  town. 

April  2.  The  last  three  companies,  B,  D  and  F,  arrived 
to-day  from  quarantine,  on  the  Sally  Robinson,  and  the 
rest  of  the  regiment  marched  down  to  the  river  to  escort 
them  to  the  camp. 

April  4.  The  regiment  moved  back  to-day  to  its 
former  quarters  near  the  Penitentiary  that  it  might  be 
nearer  the  center  of  the  city,  and  in  case  of  an  attack 
the  location  at  the  tannery  was  liable  to  be  exposed  to 
our  own  artillery.  Every  preparation  is  being  made  for 
a  defence  during  the  absence  of  General  Banks,  and  the 
woods  outside  of  the  town  are  being  cut  down  so  as  to 
afford  no  protection  to  the  enemy. 

Monday,  April  6.  Rumors  are  in  the  air  that  we  are 
likely  to  be  attacked,  and  the  drummers  were  kept  up  to 
beat  the  roll  call  in  case  of  an  alarm,  and  the  cavalry  and 
battery  horses  were  in  harness  all  night. 

Thursday,  April  9.  Last  night  orders  were  received 
for  an  expedition  to  march  to  Bayou  Monticeno,  to 
destroy  the  bridge  left  there  last  month,  and  so  interrupt 
the  communication  between  here  and  Port  Hudson.  The 
detail,  consisting  of  Companies  A,  B,  C  and  I,  with  two 


96  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

companies  of  the  2d  Louisiana  and  four  of  the  30th, 
accompanied  by  two  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  company 
of  cavalry  under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Everett 
of  the  2d  Louisiana,  left  about  three  A.M.,  arriving  at  the 
bayou  about  seven  o'clock  and  driving  in  the  rebel 
pickets.  The  two  guns  were  immediately  got  into  posi 
tion,  and  a  part  of  the  force  ordered  across  the  bridge 
on  the  double  quick  to  reconnoiter,  and  two  companies 
were  sent  forward  as  skirmishers  just  beyond  where  a 
lot  of  cattle  were  thought  to  have  been  let  loose  as  a  de 
coy.  The  camp-fires  of  the  enemy  were  still  burning, 
indicating  a  strong  picket. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  bridge,  the  troops  that 
had  been  pushed  forward  recrossed  on  a  plank  that  had 
been  left  for  them,  and  just  as  this  had  been  accom 
plished  three  carriages  were  discerned  coming  from  the 
direction  of  Port  Hudson,  the  first  apparently  containing 
females,  and  directly  behind  the  carriages  a  squad  of 
rebel  soldiers,  but  two  or  three  shells  from  our  artillery 
sent  them  fleeing  to  the  woods  for  cover. 

The  work  of  the  expedition  accomplished,  it  returned 
to  the  city,  reaching  there  about  eleven  in  the  forenoon, 
after  having  experienced  rather  a  pleasant  excitement, 
which  varied  the  monotony  of  ordinary  garrison  duty. 

During  all  this  time  we  experienced  the  sobering  and 
sometimes  depressing  effects  caused  by  comrades  con 
stantly  falling  out  of  the  ranks  by  death.  One  who  was 
with  us  yesterday  some  morning  would  fail  to  respond 
to  the  usual  roll  call,  and  later  in  the  day  a  few  taps  of 
the  drum,  a  final  prayer,  a  parting  volley,  announced 
that  another  brother  or  son  or  husband  was  being  laid 
at  rest  far  away  from  home  and  friends. 

The  following  extract  from  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nel 
son  was  only  a  single  record  out  of  many:  " Yesterday 
another  comrade,  M.  F.  Jewett,  received  his  final  dis 
charge.  It  is  about  three  weeks  since  he  was  fit  for 
duty,  but  ambitious  to  go  with  the  company  he  went 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  97 

to  Port  Hudson  when  he  should  have  remained  in  camp. 
Always  at  his  post,  never  flinching  from  any  duty,  we 
could  hardly  have  lost  a  better  man.  To-day  he  and 
another  member  of  the  regiment  from  Company  E  were 
laid  away  beneath  the  quiet  shade  of  a  green  bay  tree 
to  await  the  final  call.  Dr.  Spaulding  of  Newbury- 
port,  chaplain  of  the  48th,  conducted  the  services.  The 
affecting  prayer  and  remarks  coming  from  one  whose 
voice  so  many  had  heard  at  home,  the  muffled  drum,  the 
solemn  dirge  of  the  band,  the  low  descending  sun  closing 
a  beautiful  summer  day,  embalmed  on  our  memories  a 
feeling  and  heartfelt  sympathy  for  our  dead  comrade 
and  his  parents  and  brothers  and  sisters  at  home,  for  we 
know  that  the  next  mail  will  carry  tidings  that  will  strike 
like  lead  in  their  bosoms." 

General  Dudley,  although  a  strict  disciplinarian,  was 
always  very  popular,  and  some  good  stories  were  told  of 
him,  of  which  the  following  is  an  example:  *  "Not  long 
ago  he  was  out  riding  near  the  picket  guard  when  he  dis 
covered  one  who  did  not  do  his  duty  quite  up  to  the 
general's  idea,  so  he  dismounted  and  ordered  the  man 
to  get  into  the  saddle,  ride  up  the  road,  turn  and  come 
back  at  the  animal's  best  pace,  all  of  which  was  accord 
ingly  done;  and  just  as  the  horse  and  the  rider  were  upon 
the  general  he  called  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice,  'Halt!' 
The  horse  did  not  move  a  single  step  after  the  order,  but 
Mike  continued  to  travel  about  ten  feet  farther,  when  he 
landed  on  the  tip  end  of  his  nose.  'That's  the  way  to 
do  guard  duty,  and  don't  forget  it,'  said  General  Dudley, 
and  he  rode  away." 

Another  time  he  had  a  long  conversation  with  one  of 
the  outposts  regarding  the  conduct  of  the  war,  the  differ 
ent  commanders,  and  General  Dudley  in  particular.  It 
was  night,  and  for  a  long  time  Pat  did  not  know  who  was 
talking  to  him,  but  by  the  light  of  a  match,  as  he  was 
firing  up  his  dudeen,  that  black  eye  and  blacker  mous- 

*  From  the  diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson. 


98  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

tache  were  before  him,  and  jumping  to  his  feet  he  brought 
his  musket  to  the  present  and  sung  out,  "  Old  Dudley  by 
the  Rock  of  Dundas." 

April  22.  Dr.  French,  the  assistant  surgeon,  died  and 
was  buried  near  sunset,  the  first  and  only  commis 
sioned  officer  of  the  regiment  that  lost  his  life  during  the 
campaign,  but  filling  the  grave  of  a  patriot  with  as  much 
glory  as  if  he  had  been  shot  in  battle. 

The  month  of  April  wore  away  with  no  unusual  occur 
rence  after  the  expedition  to  Bayou  Monticeno  till  May 
2d,  when  Grierson's  cavalry  arrived  from  Tennessee.  The 
weather  had  been  hot  and  sultry,  and  the  men  were  occu 
pied  in  strengthening  the  defences,  cutting  wood,  doing 
ordinary  guard  duty  and  in  a  measure  relieved  from 
fatiguing  drills;  but  on  the  2d  day  of  May  a  cavalry 
man  approached  the  advanced  picket  and  announced 
that  a  force  of  about  one  thousand  Union  cavalry,  under 
General  Grierson,  was  approaching,  having  made  a  forced 
march  from  Tennessee  through  Mississippi  in  sixteen  days. 

The  first  announcement  was  received  with  some  dis 
trust,  but  clouds  of  dust  in  the  distance  soon  dispelled 
the  doubt,  and  all  were  filled  with  enthusiasm  as  they 
beheld  the  travel-stained  array  of  horsemen  entering  the 
city  escorting  many  prisoners,  and  accompanied  by  a 
numerous  procession  of  contrabands.  It  was  rather 
a  motley  train  covered  with  dust,  presenting  the  appear 
ance  of  hardened  veterans  rather  than  a  glittering  line 
on  dress  parade.  The  carriages  and  coaches  and  negroes 
that  followed  in  the  rear  of  the  cavalry  were  very  much 
in  evidence  that  no  very  sacred  regard  had  been  paid  to 
private  property.  The  march  had  indeed  been  full  of 
thrilling  excitement  and  adventure,  for  General  Grierson 
with  his  men  had  swept  down  like  a  whirlwind  six  hun 
dred  miles  from  Tennessee  through  the  enemy's  country, 
destroying  bridges,  cutting  railroads,  corraling  prisoners 
and  leaving  in  his  wake  a  track  of  dazed  and  panic- 
stricken  rebels.  Up  to  this  time  it  was  probably  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  99 

most  adventurous  and  daring  raid  of  the  war.  The  force, 
arriving  at  an  opportune  time,  were  of  great  service,  and 
remained  until  after  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson. 

Account  of  Comrade  Eustis: 

"May  2.  To-day  members  of  Company  E  were  on 
picket  duty  on  the  Greenville  road,  about  two  miles 
north.  The  company  was  under  command  of  Lieut. 
H.  M.  Warren.  The  writer  was  in  charge  of  the  outer 
picket  post  of  three  men.  The  cavalry  picket  had  one 
man  sixty  rods  in  front,  and  the  company  reserve  was 
one-half  mile  in  the  rear.  At  about  ten  o'clock  A.M.  a 
cavalryman  put  in  an  appearance  in  front  of  the  picket 
post.  As  he  did  not  seem  disposed  to  fire,  our  cavalry 
picket  brought  his  rifle  to  'arms  port/  The  stranger 
approached,  bid  us  all  good  morning,  tied  his  horse  to  a 
tree,  sat  down  on  a  log  and  told  his  story.  He  belonged 
to  the  7th  Illinois  Cavalry  and  was  with  the  6th  Illinois 
Cavalry,  a  brigade  in  command  of  Colonel  Grierson,  in 
Grant's  army.  The  company  to  which  the  man  belonged 
left  Tennessee  seventeen  days  previously  and  passed 
through  the  north  part  of  Mississippi,  crossed  into  Louisi 
ana  above  Port  Hudson,  arrived  within  three  miles  of 
the  picket  post  the  night  before,  destroying  railroads, 
bridges,  etc.,  en  route. 

"The  cavalryman  had  left  the  camp  in  the  morning  and 
started  out  on  his  own  hook  for  Baton  Rouge.  In  one 
hour  the  two  cavalry  companies  stationed  in  Baton 
Rouge  appeared.  They  passed  by  the  picket  post  and 
then  marched  to  ascertain  the  truth  of  the  man's  story. 
At  three  o'clock  P.M.  they  returned,  escorting  Grierson's 
cavalry  brigade,  consisting  of  nine  hundred  men,  four 
cannon,  ten  wagons  (which  they  had  picked  up  for  ambu 
lances),  several  hundred  negroes,  horses,  mules,  etc.; 
they  also  had  about  one  hundred  prisoners,  a  rebel 
cavalry  company  which  had  been  on  duty  in  rear  of  Port 
Hudson.  The  prisoners  were  captured  on  the  previous 
afternoon." 


100  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

During  the  last  five  weeks  spent  in  Baton  Rouge  the 
heat  was  so  excessive  the  men  were  generally  excused 
from  drill  and  required  to  do  but  little  work  other  than 
guard  and  picket  duty.  A  detail  from  the  latter  service 
was  generally  welcomed  with  pleasure,  for  it  meant  a 
march  out  into  the  country,  and  remaining  there  twenty- 
four  hours  amid  new  scenes;  the  men  relieved  in  a  measure 
from  the  restraint  and  monotony  of  ordinary  camp  life. 
On  such  occasions  there  was  apt  to  be  a  little  of  adven 
ture  and  some  excitement.  A  very  good  illustration  of 
the  pleasures  of  this  kind  of  service  occurred  on  the  4th 
of  May,  when  the  Companies  C  and  G  were  sent  on  the 
Clinton  road  making  camp  and  stacking  arms  in  an  attrac 
tive  spot  amid  pleasant  scenery  and  in  the  grateful  shade 
of  noble  old  trees.  The  rapid  growth  of  vegetation  has 
been  wonderful.  Corn  is  as  high  as  one's  head.  Pota 
toes  are  in  bloom,  and  peas  and  beans  and  strawberries 
are  now  in  the  market,  and  the  peach,  quince  and  fig  are 
beginning  to  fruit.  The  trees  that  abound  here  are  the 
gum  tree,  bay  and  cotton  trees,  the  oak  and  magnolia, 
the  latter  filling  the  air  with  the  sweet-scented  perfume 
of  its  fragrant  blossoms.  The  earth  has  burst  forth  with 
all  the  wealth  of  tropical  luxuriance,  but  the  ordinary 
native  about  here  is  wretchedly  thriftless,  living  in 
dilapidated  dwellings,  although  frequently  possessing  con 
siderable  property.  Just  such  an  establishment  near  our 
post  to-day  afforded  a  good  opportunity  to  observe  the 
life  on  the  farm  or  plantation  in  Louisiana.  The  children 
running  about  the  yard,  ragged,  dirty  and  unkempt, 
fairly  represent  the  condition  of  everything  about  the 
place.  The  house  is  ruinous  and  unpainted,  little  better 
than  a  shanty,  unattractive  and  slovenly  within  and 
without.  A  few  tumbled-down  sheds  answer  the  pur 
pose  of  barns.  Hogs  are  rooting  under  the  trees.  A 
herd  of  sixteen  cows,  a  numerous  flock  of  sheep,  and 
horses  and  carriages  about  the  yard  indicate  that  the 
owner  is  a  man  of  considerable  substance. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  101 

With  his  unthrifty  habits  and  thriftless  neighbors  he 
knows  nothing  better,  and  perhaps  in  a  certain  way  gets 
more  out  of  life  than  his  restless  and  discontented  brother 
at  the  North,  whose  nervous  activity  is  worrying  him 
through  the  years,  eager  to  keep  well  up  toward  the 
head  of  the  procession. 

The  day  was  enlivened  by  the  approach  of  a  flag  of 
truce  and  a  squad  of  rebel  cavalry,  whereupon  Company 
G  went  on  outpost  duty  while  Company  C  remained  on 
the  reserve.  It  was  also  interesting  to  watch  the  occu 
pants  of  several  carriages  as  they  were  allowed  to  come 
within  the  line  from  the  country  and  go  to  the  city,  now 
and  then  getting  glimpses  of  a  rustic  maid,  for  it  was 
observed  that  almost  every  one  who  came  in  was  a  woman, 
and  some  of  them  were  on  horseback.  The  carriages  were 
in  all  stages  of  decrepitude,  from  the  old  ark  ready  to  fall 
to  pieces  like  the  " doctor's  one-horse  shay"  to  the  ven 
erable  coach  which  had  seen  better  days,  but  still  kept 
up  an  air  of  respectability. 

One  interesting  descendant  of  Ham  who  entertained 
us  was  a  colored  gentleman,  a  former  slave  near  Port 
Hudson,  and  endowed  with  some  of  the  piquant  imagina 
tion  which  is  apt  to  be  most  exuberant  in  races  whose 
blood  is  heated  by  a  tropical  sun.  With  what  seeming 
honesty  he  told  the  story  that  his  former  massa  had 
applied  to  him  a  hundred  lashes  only  because  he  sat 
down  and  sucked  a  piece  of  sugar  cane,  and  then  there 
was  a  combination  of  vindictiveness  and  piety  in  the 
fellow  which  in  a  white  man  would  seem  incongruous. 
It  was  his  desire  that  all  the  massas  should  be  killed, 
and  he  expected  the  land  was  to  be  parceled  out  among 
the  blacks.  It  was  his  belief  that  the  people  would 
march  up  to  Port  Hudson  and  "take  it  just  as  dey  would 
eat  bread.  Blood  was  in  der  hearts  and  dey  see  just  one 
ting,  dere  massas."  He  said  "dat  Mr.  Linkum  sent 
word  for  dem  to  pray  for  him  and  they  did  pray." 

May  8,  9  and  10.     Heavy  firing  in  the  direction  of  Port 


102  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Hudson,  and  the  passage  of  the  mortar  fleet  up  the  river 
on  the  8th  indicate  that  active  operations  are  about  to 
commence. 

May  11.  At  dress  parade  this  evening  orders  were 
read  for  the  regiment  to  be  in  line  at  four  o'clock  to 
morrow  morning  in  light  marching  order.  This  was  the 
last  night  the  regiment  spent  in  Baton  Rouge.  Com 
pany  H  remained  to  do  provost  duty.  The  sick  were 
left  in  the  hospital  and  about  the  camp,  and  from  time 
to  time  those  of  the  men  disabled  by  disease  and  wounds 
returned,  but  to  most  of  us  this  was  the  end  of  camp 
life,  and  on  the  morrow,  so  far  at  least  as  the  50th  Regi 
ment  was  concerned,  the  campaign  opened  which  ended 
in  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson  and  the  opening  of  the  Missis 
sippi,  freeing  the  " Father  of  Waters"  to  go  once  more 
un vexed  to  the  sea. 

The  three  months  spent  in  Baton  Rouge  were  filled 
with  many  pleasant  and  sad  memories.  The  numerous 
new-made  graves  on  the  knoll  under  the  trees  used  for 
burial  purposes  attested  the  fatal  effect  of  climate  and 
exposure  and  hardship  upon  our  unacclimated  men.  The 
seeds  of  malaria  permeated  the  system  and  bore  fruit 
during  years  to  come.  The  big  guns  heard  up  the  river 
during  the  last  few  days  have  stirred  the  blood  and 
thrilled  the  ardor  of  the  boys  to  white  heat.  A  distant 
cannonade,  like  martial  music,  excites  enthusiasm  among 
both  brave  men  and  cowards. 


SAMUEL  W.  DUNCAN 
Capt.  Co.  F,  50th  Mass. 


NICHOLAS  POWER 
Capt.  Co.  I,  50th  Mass. 


CYRUS  HOBBS 
Capt.  Co.  H,  50th  Mass. 


GEORGE    W.    EDWARDS 
Capt.  Co.  G,  50th  Mass. 


JOHN  G.   BARNES 
Capt.  Co.  K,  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  103 


CHAPTER  X 

MARCH  TO  WHITE'S  BAYOU  OR  BLACK  CREEK  —  GUARDING 
THE  BRIDGE  AT  THAT  PLACE  —  MARCH  FROM  WHITE'S 

BAYOU      TO       PORT      HUDSON  —  REVISITING       WHITE'S 
BAYOU    AND    BAYOU    MONTICENO    IN    1897 

TUESDAY,  May  12.  The  adjutant  was  making  an 
early  round  this  morning,  arousing  the  orderlies, 
directing  them  to  have  men  equipped  and  in  line 
for  an  early  start.  It  was  about  four  o'clock  when  the 
brigade  wheeled  out  onto  the  Clinton  road  on  the  line  of 
march  for  White's  Bayou,  ten  miles  distant,  accompanied 
by  a  section  of  the  5th  Regular  Battery  and  two  regi 
ments  of  cavalry,  arriving  there  about  noon.  The  50th 
Regiment  with  the  artillery  remained  to  guard  the  bridge 
at  the  bayou  while  the  rest  of  the  brigade  and  the  Illi 
nois  cavalry  proceeded  towards  Clinton  to  destroy  the 
Port  Hudson  and  Clinton  Railroad  bridge.  The  Louisiana 
cavalry  regiment  went  out  and  exchanged  shots  with 
the  rebel  cavalry,  wounding  two  of  them. 

The  following  extracts  are  from  the  journal  of  Com 
rade  Andrews  of  Company  A: 

"May  13.  We  are  still  as  we  were  yesterday.  Last 
night  about  midnight  it  began  to  rain,  and  we  made  for 
the  woods  as  best  we  could  for  shelter,  but  could  not 
sleep. 

"May  14.  It  is  still  raining.  Many  of  us  have  made 
roofs  for  shelter  from  the  bark  of  trees.  This  worked 
well  till  the  sun  came  out,  when  the  bark  curled  and  we 
were  obliged  to  convert  our  roofs  into  floors.  The  Illi 
nois  cavalry  went  up  the  road  to-day  and  drove  in  the 
rebel  pickets,  and  discovered  a  bridge  four  or  five  miles 
from  here  which  the  rebels  had  burned.  They  returned 


104  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

in  the  afternoon,  and  reported  the  enemy  in  force  on  the 
other  side  of  the  bridge. 

"  May  16.  Several  of  us  were  detailed  to-day  for  special 
service  and  made  a  raid  on  Baldwin's  plantation,  bring 
ing  in  sixty-four  bales  of  cotton.  The  Illinois  cavalry 
accompanied  us,  but  did  not  get  back  to  camp  till  after 
dark,  having  returned  by  another  road. 

"May  17.  Fresh  meat  soup  to-day  for  dinner,  being 
the  first  fresh  meat  we  have  had  since  the  middle  of 
March. 

"May  18.  Company  A  went  out  on  a  raid  to-day  in 
pursuit  of  a  company  of  rebel  soldiers,  but  we  couldn't 
locate  them,  a  negro  informing  us  that  they  had  gone  to 
Clinton.  On  our  way  back  to  camp  we  brought  with 
us  nearly  all  of  Tom  Brown's  slaves.  He  was  a  seces 
sionist  and  had  served  three  months  in  the  rebel  army 
and  was  at  the  battle  of  Baton  Rouge,  and  the  negroes 
say  that  he  ran  his  horse  thirty  miles  before  he  stopped, 
nearly  killing  him.  Mr.  Brown  came  out  and  pleaded 
with  the  negroes  not  to  go  with  us.  Captain  Putnam 
told  him  that  he  should  compel  none  of  them  to  go,  that 
they  could  do  as  they  wished,  but  that  they  must  decide 
in  one-half  hour.  Mr.  Brown  was  now  re-enforced  by  a 
woman  with  a  little  child  pleading  that  the  ' niggers' 
all  belonged  to  this  little  orphan  girl  and  that  they  were 
all  the  property  she  had.  She  told  them  they  had  better 
remain  on  the  plantation,  as  the  smallpox  and  measles 
were  raging  fearfully  in  Baton  Rouge. 

"We  soon  started  for  camp,  accompanied  by  a  motley 
band  of  colored  people  of  all  ages.  The  oldest  men  and 
women  and  some  babies  rode  in  the  wool  carts  and 
carriages  of  all  descriptions,  while  all  who  were  able 
marched  to  Baton  Rouge,  where  they  were  put  into  the 
contraband  camp,  shouting  on  their  march  that  they 
were  going  'to  join  Massa  Linkum's  soldiers;  the  day  of 
jubilee  was  come.  Hallelujah.' 

"May   19.     An  alarm  was  sounded  last  night  and  all 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  105 

companies  but  Company  A  went  out  on  the  line  ready 
for  action,  but  it  proved  to  be  a  false  alarm." 

Extracts  from  the  journal  of  Otis  E.  Sheldon  of  Com 
pany  F: 

"May  13.  The  place  is  called  Burley  Bayou  at  Black 
Creek  Bridge.  About  noon  Major  Hodges  and  twenty 
cavalry  went  up  the  road  to  drive  in  the  rebel  pickets. 
They  had  a  skirmish  and  killed  four  men  and  three 
horses.  Camp  was  aroused  about  midnight  by  the  firing 
of  two  shots. 

"May  14.  The  cavalry  returned  from  Dudley's  and 
then  went  up  the  road,  breaking  up  the  rebel  camp,  but 
finding  the  enemy  in  force  above  returned. 

"May  15.  About  noon  a  few  of  us  were  detailed  as 
guards  on  stores,  and  went  over  to  the  main  camp  on 
the  Port  Hudson  road.  It  rained  hard  and  we  did  not 
return  till  ten  thirty  P.M.  The  road  and  parts  of  the 
camp  were  flooded,  and  I  was  so  tired  that  I  dropped 
beside  the  fire,  and  when  I  awoke  my  boots  were  so  burned 
that  they  were  of  no  further  use." 

When  the  march  was  made  from  Baton  Rouge  on  the 
12th,  those  who  were  sick  and  feeble  were  left  behind, 
subsequently  joining  the  regiment  from  time  to  time. 
Among  them  was  Sergeant  Nelson,  in  whose  interesting 
diary  appears  the  following  account: 

"May  23.  Stirring  times,  soldiers  are  arriving  and 
departing  constantly.  Transport  after  transport  filled 
with  soldiers,  steamer  after  steamer  loaded  with  bat 
teries,  are  headed  towards  Port  Hudson.  Without  doubt 
this  matter  is  to  be  settled  definitely  this  time.  The 
anxious  look  of  the  inhabitants  as  they  stand  at  the 
corners  of  the  streets  looking  at  us  is  so  noticeable  that 
all  speak  of  it.  No  wonder;  a  large  part  of  the  force 
inside  of  the  works  are  from  Baton  Rouge  and  its 
vicinity.  Somebody  is  going  to  get  hurt  before  long, 
and  it  is  hard  telling  where  the  blow  will  fall.  Already 
blood  has  been  shed.  For  several  days  past  wounded 


106  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

men  and  prisoners  have  been  sent  down  to  be  taken 
care  of.  Prisoners  continue  on  their  journey  and  find 
safe  quarters,  board  included,  down  below.  Camps  for 
the  wounded  are  being  established  all  over  the  city  and 
outside  among  the  groves.  Churches  are  taken,  so  also 
are  a  number  of  the  large  private  residences  converted 
into  hospitals  and  used  for  our  necessities. 

"May  25.  This  morning  ten  of  us  fellows  bade  adieu 
to  Baton  Rouge,  and  with  our  arms  in  our  hands  fought 
our  way  to  White's  Bayou.  The  road  led  us  through  a 
wooded  country  of  about  ten  miles.  The  entire  distance 
was  broken  but  two  or  three  times  by  a  clearing  where 
stood  a  deserted  and  vacated  plantation.  This  whole 
country  would  properly  be  called  debatable  ground,  and 
everything  that  could  be  of  any  possible  use  to  either 
side  has  been  taken,  and  the  condition  of  things  in  gen 
eral  can  be  well  imagined.  As  our  time  was  not  very 
valuable  and  the  day  was  before  us,  our  halts  were  nu 
merous.  All  the  uninhabited  dwellings  were  looked  over, 
and  their  probable  cost  and  present  value  estimated. 
We  made  a  long  stop  at  a  blacksmith's  shop;  it  would 
have  been  called  the  'village  smithy'  if  there  had  been 
a  village  near.  Here  we  dined.  As  I  trod  the  well- worn 
plank  and  looked  upon  the  social  anvil  and  the  warm 
hearted  forge,  I  thought  of  Mr.  Pettingill,  and  how 
much  solid  comfort  he  would  take  gazing  on  these  piles 
of  scrap  iron. 

"  On  my  way  up  I  made  my  first  acquaintance  with  a 
copperhead  snake.  Their  peculiarities  are  of  such  a  na 
ture  that  most  people  give  them  a  wide  berth.  About 
four  o'clock  we  arrived  in  camp;  our  reception  for  pri 
vates  was  highly  honorable.  The  last  twenty  feet  of 
our  march  was  a  perfect  ovation  of  hard-bread  boxes 
and  empty  bottle  accompaniments. 

"The  camp  is  situated  on  the  southern  side  of  the  creek. 
The  bridge  crossing  it  is  called  White's.  At  the  present 
time  the  ravine  is  as  dry  as  dust.  For  quite  a  distance 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  107 

either  way  the  trees  have  been  felled  to  afford  protection 
to  our  men,  and  prevent  the  progress  of  the  rebels.  The 
section  of  a  battery  holds  the  bridge,  and  pickets  are 
out  on  guard  throughout  the  twenty-four  hours.  For 
the  first  few  days  after  the  regiment  arrived  here,  the 
enemy  was  seen  every  day,  but  it  would  appear  now 
that  everything  is  concentrated  at  Port  Hudson  as  they 
are  so  quiet.  The  men  are  camped  in  squads,  and  the 
whole  looks  like  a  huge  gypsy  encampment.  I  feel  bet 
ter  so  soon,  and  if  all  the  invalids  at  Baton  Rouge  would 
come  up  here  and  stop  just  two  weeks,  every  man  would 
be  able  to  eat  his  rations. 

"  May  26.  Butters  comes  up  every  day  with  sutlers' 
stores,  luxuries  so  to  speak.  All  respect  for  shoulder 
straps  is  lost  while  Butters 's  load  lasts.  The  best  man 
is  the  broadest  shouldered  one.  In  a  few  minutes  you 
will  hear  one  and  another  telling  how  much  he  brought 
away.  The  men  find  a  few  straggling  cattle  round  about, 
which  are  always  taken  if  possible,  and  a  very  respectable 
living  is  eked  out.  Captain  Barnes  is  officer  of  the  day. 
In  the  evening  he  was  desirous  of  showing  me  how  effi 
cient  the  guard  were,  and  about  midnight  we  called 
around.  If  the  captain  has  a  weakness  it  is  to  show  off 
the  guard  when  he  is  captain  of  the  day.  I  remember 
one  night  at  Boxford  camp,  many  moons  ago,  that  we 
invited  guests  walked  over  the  line  and  around  the  senti 
nel  and  crossed  again,  and  all  the  guard  said  to  us  was 
a  remark  that  he  thought  we  were  having  a  good  time. 
The  guard  to-night  seemed  to  have  much  the  same  idea 
of  us.  It  is  well  for  the  50th  that  no  rebel  forces  are  in 
close  proximity  to  them. 

"The  members  of  this  regiment  are  congratulating  them 
selves  to-day  on  their  good  fortune  in  thus  being  kept 
here  to  protect  Baton  Rouge,  while  less  favored  ones  are 
before  Port  Hudson,  liable  to  all  kinds  of  misfortunes 
and  indignities  from  the  hands  of  the  rebels.  We  were 
all  in  this  happy,  complacent  frame  of  mind  until  about 


108  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

three  o'clock,  when  a  courier  rode  gayly  into  camp  as 
unexpected  as  a  thunder  shower,  with  the  written  com 
pliments  of  General  Dudley,  requesting  our  immediate 
presence  before  Port  Hudson.  The  bugle  and  drum 
called  in  everything.  Horses  were  saddled,  blankets 
rolled  up,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  the  regiment  was  on 
the  march.  The  cooks  and  a  few  to  assist  them  were 
left  to  bring  up  the  rear,  following  as  fast  as  they  could. 
This  sudden  move  takes  us  all  by  surprise.  If  the  attack 
has  not  already  commenced  it  will,  just  as  soon  as  all 
the  forces  are  concentrated,  and  we  know  that  we  are 
about  the  last  to  be  called  in.  In  view  of  this  seeming 
fact  there  are  men  in  the  regiment  who  take  a  business 
view  of  the  future  and  calculate  on  the  chances.  I  saw 
one  able-bodied  man,  not  of  Company  K,  who  had  a 
very  sudden  rush  of  blood  to  his  head.  In  no  mild  mood 
his  captain  told  him  to  act  according  to  his  judgment, 
but  at  the  same  time  expressed  his  opinion  of  cowards 
and  skulkers  in  general.  The  poor  man  rolled  up  his 
blanket  and  I  suppose  found  his  way  back  to  Baton 
Rouge.  But  very  few  were  left. 

"Through  a  wild,  unfrequented  bypath  we  went  until 
about  sundown,  and  during  the  whole  afternoon  we 
passed  but  one  house  and  this  stood  alone  far  from 
neighbors  and  entirely  deserted,  save  by  the  old  family 
cat.  About  dusk  we  came  out  on  the  Port  Hudson  road 
that  we  traveled  over  last  March  at  a  time  when  a  heavy 
dew  was  falling.  Here  we  were  enabled  to  fill  our  can 
teens  and  travel  as  before.  Such  clouds  of  dust  rolled 
up  that  we  were  almost  suffocated.  Occasionally  we 
met  black  men  or  somebody  belonging  to  the  army,  and 
the  question  was  always  asked,  'How  far  to  Port  Hud 
son?'  Answers,  Must  two  miles,'  Must  five  miles,"  About 
eight  miles,  I  reckon.'  When  we  had  but  two  miles  to 
go  our  spirits  arose;  when  it  was  told  us  that  about  eight 
miles  would  bring  us  before  the  walls  our  spirits  fell. 
Over  this  long  dull  road  we  passed  the  Plains'  store,  once 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  109 

a  noted  spot.  Here  was  situated  the  post  office,  the 
grocery  store  and  Masonic  Hall.  Here  was  fought  a 
few  days  ago  a  battle.  The  relics  of  the  fight  remain  in 
the  shape  of  broken  gun-carriages  and  dead  artillery 
horses.  The  air  is  unpleasant  to  breathe,  and  we  pass 
over  the  ground  as  fast  as  possible.  We  pass  here  the 
Indiana  Jackass  Battery,  each  piece  being  drawn  by 
six  mules.  The  guns  are  monstrous,  and  will  carry  a 
missile  so  far  that  I  cannot  remember  the  distance.  One 
negro  follower  said  that  they  would  carry  a  ball  ten  miles, 
and  he  wouldn't  take  anything  off.  At  each  halt,  which 
occurred  as  often  as  every  thirty  minutes,  the  men 
dropped  on  the  ground  and  were  asleep  in  less  time  than 
I  can  say  it.  I  saw  men  marching  in  the  ranks  fast 
asleep;  nothing  but  discipline  could  keep  them  together, 
so  tired  are  they,  but  at  the  roll  of  the  drum  all  were 
in  their  places  and  moving  on.  About  eleven  o'clock  we 
were  told  that  we  were  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Port 
Hudson.  A  halt  was  ordered,  and  behind  our  gun  stacks 
we  spread  our  blankets  and  were  instantly  asleep." 

The  regiment  lay  encamped  two  weeks  at  White's 
Bayou,  holding  the  bridge  so  that  the  Confederates  could 
make  no  advance  on  Baton  Rouge  from  the  direction  of 
Clinton.  General  Augur,  the  division  commander,  was 
said  to  have  asked  General  Dudley  what  force  he  had  to 
hold  White's  Bridge,  and  the  latter's  answer  was  said 
to  have  been,  "  A  Massachusetts  regiment  that  will  hold 
it  against  any  brigade  the  rebels  can  send  against  it." 
While  the  regiment  remained  here  there  were  stationed 
with  them  a  section  of  the  5th  Regular  Battery  and  a 
squad  of  cavalry,  and  take  it  all  in  all  the  life  of  those 
two  weeks  was  a  rather  pleasant  one,  and  especially  so 
when  compared  with  the  hardships  and  dangers  expe 
rienced  the  next  few  weeks  during  the  siege  and  assaults 
on  Port  Hudson.  In  the  first  place  the  location  itself 
was  an  interesting  one  for  that  country.  There  was  just 
enough  of  danger  to  keep  up  a  sufficient  amount  of  in- 


110  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

terest  and  not  enough  to  produce  anxiety.  In  the  spring 
of  1897  the  writer  revisited  this  spot  and  spent  a  de 
lightful  hour  at  White's  Bayou.  Leaving  Baton  Rouge 
at  eight  in  the  morning  with  a  horse  and  buggy  and 
colored  driver  he  made  a  short  stop  at  Bayou  Monticeno. 
It  will  be  remembered  that  a  house  stood  back  from  the 
road  on  the  right-hand  side,  a  little  before  reaching  the 
bayou,  occupied  at  that  time  and  still  occupied  by  a 
family  named  Adams,  the  present  proprietor  then  being 
a  young  man  in  the  Confederate  Army.  On  approaching 
the  front  gate  Mr.  Adams  came  out,  and  learning  that 
he  was  being  addressed  by  an  old  Union  soldier,  who  had 
been  there  during  the  war,  received  him  very  cordially 
and  volunteered  to  accompany  him  over  the  ground. 
Thirty-four  years  had  elapsed  since  the  regiment  had 
encamped  at  Monticeno,  and  yet  almost  everything  looked 
natural  in  the  immediate  neighborhood.  There  was  the 
same  wooded  knoll  on  the  left  where  we  had  passed  such 
an  uncomfortable  night  in  March,  1863,  fragrant  now 
with  magnolia  blossoms,  the  trees  all  decked  with  the 
young  green  foliage  of  spring.  The  earthworks  where 
the  battery  had  been  stationed  still  stood  on  the  right. 
It  would  have  been  quite  natural  to  have  believed  that 
the  lapse  of  time  during  the  thirty-four  years  had  been 
but  a  dream.  There  were  only  wanting  the  blast  of  the 
bugle,  the  roll  of  the  drum,  the  blue  uniforms,  the  stacked 
arms,  the  parked  artillery  and  the  murmuring  buzz  of 
a  camp  to  have  restored  the  past  as  an  event  of  yester 
day.  After  a  pleasant  half  hour  spent  in  recalling  old 
memories,  we  reluctantly  turned  away  and  resumed  our 
journey,  after  taking  leave  of  this  courteous  southern 
gentleman.  The  magnificent  forests  through  which  we 
had  marched  in  1863  had  largely  disappeared;  still  there 
were  some  fine  patches  of  woods.  Magnolias,  gum  and 
pecan  trees,  live  oaks,  pin  oaks,  white  oaks  and  numer 
ous  other  varieties,  including  ash  and  walnut,  attested 
the  strength  and  fertility  of  the  soil.  The  palmettos 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  111 

growing  up  from  the  ground  gave  the  country  in  places 
a  semi-tropical  appearance,  and  then  the  gray  waving 
moss  floating  from  many  of  the  trees  was  a  pleasant  re 
minder  of  the  olden  time.  If  Monticeno  looked  natural, 
White's  Bayou,  if  possible,  looked  even  more  so.  The 
woods  on  the  west  side  of  the  road  were  gone.  There 
was  the  bridge  and  the  same  open  fields  on  each  side  of 
the  road  south  of  it,  and  the  same  trees  under  which  the 
men  were  encamped.  Going  about  from  tree  to  tree,  it 
was  very  interesting  to  observe  the  initials  that  the  boys 
had  carved  in  the  bark  almost  as  fresh  as  when  cut  a 
generation  ago.  And  then  several  of  the  old  residents, 
who  were  remembered  as  having  been  there  in  1863, 
still  lived  in  the  neighborhood  and  extended  a  welcome 
greeting  as  to  old  acquaintances.  The  first  man  to  ap 
pear  was  that  same  Thomas  Brown  who  has  been  pre 
viously  referred  to  as  the  planter  whose  slaves  had 
deserted  the  old  plantation  with  Captain  Putnam  and 
Company  A. 

Leaving  the  bayou  and  pursuing  our  journey,  we  drove 
over  the  same  road  through  the  woods  to  the  Plains' 
store  where  we  had  marched  thirty-four  years  before. 
The  store  was  still  there  as  in  1863,  and  for  a  generation 
the  hands  upon  the  face  of  the  clock  of  time  had  appar 
ently  stood  still. 

The  traditions  of  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  are  pre 
served  by  all  the  inhabitants  living  thereabouts.  The 
old  families  very  generally  remain,  and  in  many  instances 
the  children  of  the  people  we  met  are  still  there.  Other 
well-remembered  houses  are  gone,  the  slaves  had  dis 
appeared  and  the  plantations  were  deserted. 

A  pathetic  example  of  the  changes  that  had  taken  place 
from  the  vicissitudes  of  war  and  the  lapse  of  time  was 
illustrated  by  the  appearance  of  the  place  where  General 
Banks  had  established  his  headquarters  on  the  14th  of 
March,  1863,  when  the  advance  was  made  on  Port  Hud 
son  at  the  time  Farragut  forced  a  passage  up  the  river. 


112  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

A  few  shacks  only  remain  to  mark  the  spot.  The  man 
sion  house  was  gone.  Where  the  negro  cabins  had  stood 
was  an  open  field.  The  proprietor  had  been  shot.  The 
scene  of  former  opulence  was  desolate  indeed.  But 
near  by  a  more  attractive  picture  was  presented  to  view. 
A  short  distance  beyond  the  schoolhouse  we  drove  up 
to  the  house  where  the  blind  man  had  lived  on  that  Sun 
day  afternoon  when  we  rested  on  our  return  to  Bayou 
Monticeno.  The  blind  man  had  paid  the  last  debt  of 
nature,  but  his  daughter,  a  comely  matron,  greeted  us 
cordially,  and  when  she  learned  the  story  of  our  former 
visit  we  were  treated  as  old  friends.  Everywhere  the 
same  kindly  feeling  was  exhibited  towards  us. 

After  guarding  the  bridge  at  White's  Bayou  for  two 
weeks,  on  May  26  the  regiment  received  orders  to  break 
camp  and  join  the  main  army,  so  about  three  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  leaving  a  small  squad  to  guard  the  camp 
equipage,  the  troops  defiled  through  the  woods  over  a 
crossroad  to  the  Baton  Rouge  and  Bayou  Sara  road, 
and  after  a  weary  march  of  between  eight  and  nine  hours 
reached  the  vicinity  of  Port  Hudson,  stacked  their  guns 
and  threw  their  exhausted  bodies  on  the  ground  to  snatch 
a  little  sleep  in  preparation  for  the  events  of  the  ensuing 
day.  On  the  march  this  evening  the  Plains'  store  was 
passed  where  occurred  the  skirmish  of  the  21st,  attested 
by  broken  gun-carriages  and  the  carcasses  of  dead  artil 
lery  horses  which  filled  the  air  with  a  sickening  odor. 


HEADQUARTERS  UNITED  STATES  FORCES, 
CAMP  ON  MERRITT'S  PLANTATION,  May  12,  1863,  5  P.M. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report,  for  the  information  of  the  major 
general  commanding,  that  I  left  camp  at  Baton  Rouge  with  the 
forces  assigned  me,  in  orders  of  yesterday's  date,  twenty  minutes 
before  five  o'clock  A.M.  this  morning,  and  proceeded  along  the 
Clinton  road  unmolested  until  my  advanced  cavalry  picket,  under 
command  of  Captain  Godfrey,  reached  a  point  near  Cypress  Bayou, 
near  the  sawmill,  when  an  advanced  mounted  picket  of  the  enemy, 


A.B.  C.  D— Eodoubts. 
E  -So nth  Bastion 


F— East  Bastion. 
G,  H— Large  tort*. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  113 

some  thirty  strong,  developed  themselves  in  front  by  a  volley 
discharged  at  a  distance  of  some  400  yards  at  Captain  Godfrey's 
cavalry,  which  was  returned  and  kept  up  at  a  distance  varying 
from  300  to  500  yards  for  nearly  four  miles.  From  information 
gained  from  residents  on  the  road  and  comparatively  intelligent 
blacks,  together  by  the  indications  of  horses  having  been  picketed 
during  the  night,  I  think  the  cavalry  force  west  of  White's  Bayou 
could  not  have  been  less  than  about  200.  I  pursued  them  some 
distance  beyond  the  bridge  which  crosses  White's  Bayou  with  the 
small  cavalry  force  at  my  disposal,  and  one  piece  of  Arnold's  battery. 
Not  wishing  to  develop  my  strength  to  the  enemy  until  Colonel 
Grierson  had  passed,  I  deemed  it  prudent  to  return,  and  proceed 
to  the  point  I  originally  intended  to  occupy  to-night.  On  re- 
crossing  White's  Bayou  bridge  I  left  Colonel  Messer  with  the  whole 
of  the  50th  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  one  section  of  Arnold's 
battery,  and  twenty  cavalry  strongly  posted,  with  instructions  to 
hold  the  same;  if  assailed  by  too  strong  a  party  to  destroy  the 
bridge,  which  would  only  inconvenience  cavalry  and  retard  artillery 
for  a  short  time.  I  find  my  maps  very  incorrect.  There  is  no 
road  crossing  the  one  running  from  near  White's  (Black's  Creek 
called  by  some)  Bayou  to  Bayou  Sara.  With  the  exception  of  a 
small  quantity  of  water  in  this  bayou,  there  is  no  water  on  the 
route  up  to  this  point  for  a  command  one-eighth  the  size  of  this. 
I  expected  to  find  abundance  of  water  in  the  bayou  crossing  the  road 
between  this  point  and  the  Clinton  road,  but  it  was  entirely  dry. 
This  necessarily  compelled  me  to  come  to  this  place,  which  made  my 
march  to-day  seventeen  miles.  My  advance  regiment,  notwithstand 
ing  the  delay  caused  by  a  cautious  march  in  the  forenoon,  got  into 
camp  at  one  o'clock.  Mr.  Merritt,  a  party  who  took  the  oath  of 
allegiance  a  few  days  since  at  Baton  Rouge,  informs  me  that  the 
enemy  has  a  bridge  on  this  road  beyond  the  Port  Hudson  road. 
He  got  his  information  from  the  enemy's  pickets  that  came  out 
this  morning. 

I  am  bivouacked  in  a  belt  of  timber  with  an  open  area  on  all 
sides  of  my  forces,  a  deep  gully  running  through  the  center  which 
can  be  used  as  a  cover  for  my  infantry  if  pushed.  I  feel  confident 
that  I  can  hold  my  position  against  twice  my  own  force  if  attacked. 

Since  crossing  Cypress  Bayou  our  advance  guard  has  hardly 
been  out  of  sight  of  the  enemy's  scouts.  They  are  evidently  on 
the  wide-awake  lookout  for  the  Illinois  cavalry. 

The  only  casualty  during  the  day  has  been  the  wounding  of 
one  horse  of  Godfrey's  cavalry.  One  prisoner  belonging  to  the 
Tennessee  cavalry  was  captured  by  Lieutenant  Carlton  in  a  hand- 
to-hand  conflict.  The  men  of  the  several  corps  have  nobly  stood 


114  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  day's  march,  especially  the  last  two  hours,  with  the  hot  sun 
on  their  backs,  no  shade  for  some  five  miles,  and  the  dust  almost 
intolerable.  Not  over  ten  men  fell  to  the  rear  during  the  march. 
No  information  of  Colonel  Grierson's  command  up  to  this  hour. 

I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY, 

Colonel  and  Acting  Brigadier-General  Commanding. 
Captain  HALSTED, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


Report  of  Col.  Nathan  A.  M.  Dudley,  30th  Massa 
chusetts  Infantry,  commanding  3d  Brigade,  1st  Division, 
19th  Army  Corps: 


CAMP  ON  MERRITT'S  PLANTATION,  May  14,  1863. 

Sir:  Colonel  Grierson,  with  his  command,  has  just  returned 
from  a  scout  on  the  Clinton  road.  He  left  camp  with  about  350 
men,  taking  his  small  pieces  with  him.  Crossing  the  road  leading 
from  Alexander's  plantation  to  the  Clinton  plank  road,  near  White's 
Bayou,  he  passed  Colonel  Messer's  camp,  en  route  to  Clinton,  and 
reaching  a  point  about  one  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Redwood 
Creek,  his  advance  came  upon  the  pickets  of  the  enemy.  He 
drove  them  back  into  the  rifle  pits  which  they  had  constructed  on 
the  west  side  of  Redwood  Bridge.  Here  they  made  considerable 
of  a  stand,  firing  with  rifles.  As  no  infantry  tracks  were  discovered 
after  crossing,  Colonel  Grierson  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  rifle  pits 
were  occupied  by  dismounted  cavalry.  He  fired  several  shots 
from  his  light  guns,  which  soon  drove  them  out.  After  crossing 
the  bridge,  four  companies,  two  mounted  and  two  dismounted, 
proceeded  on  about  one  mile,  at  wlu'ch  point  the  advance  party 
met  fully  an  equal  force  of  cavalry  to  his  own.  At  this  place  they 
discovered  on  the  road  the  tracks  of  what  were  supposed  to  be  four 
pieces  of  artillery.  This  supposition  was  strengthened  by  in 
formation  gained  on  the  road.  One  company  of  infantry  was 
down  the  road  as  a  support  to  the  rebel  picket  last  night.  Colonel 
Grierson  goes  to  town  this  evening.  He  expressed  a  great  desire 
to  take  his  command  with  him.  I  trust  the  commanding  officer 
will  not  reduce  the  force  under  my  command.  I  have  to  guard 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  115 

the  Springfield  Landing,  Bayou  Sara  and  Clinton  roads,  and  I  do 
not  think  I  have  a  man  to  spare.     The  Illinois  troops  can  recruit 
here  better  in  my  opinion  than  at  Baton  Rouge. 
I  am,  sir,  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY, 
Colonel  and  Acting  Brigadier-General  Commanding. 

Capt.  GEORGE  R.  HALSTED, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Now  that  the  regiment  has  reached  the  spot  where  the 
campaign  was  to  culminate,  it  may  be  well  to  go  back 
and  briefly  review  the  causes  and  events  that  led  up  to 
the  fortification  of  Port  Hudson  by  the  Confederates, 
and  to  its  capture  by  the  Federals. 


116  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER  XI 

PORT  HUDSON  AND  ITS  FORTIFICATIONS  —  ACCOUNT  OF 
THE  DEFENCES  AS  GIVEN  BY  LIEUTENANT  FRERET  OF 
THE  CONFEDERATE  ARMY  —  BATTLE  OF  PLAINS'  STORE 

INVESTMENT     OF     PORT     HUDSON     AND     ORDER     FOR 

ASSAULT    ON    MAY     27  — CORRESPONDENCE    BETWEEN 
BANKS,    GRANT    AND    HALLECK 

THE  Confederate  leaders  realized  the  importance  of 
maintaining  the  control  of  the  Lower  Mississippi, 
and  after  the  fall  of  New  Orleans  they  saw  how 
necessary  it  was  to  keep  open  communication  with  the 
Southwest  from  whence  they  might  expect  to  draw 
immense  supplies  with  which  to  feed  their  armies.  The 
state  of  Texas  alone,  with  its  vast  area,  rich  soil  and 
illimitable  resources,  was  capable  of  furnishing  an  almost 
inexhaustible  supply  of  food,  and  so  at  an  early  day  it 
was  decided  to  fortify  Port  Hudson  and  Vicksburg,  and 
through  these  great  arteries  keep  in  circulation  the  life- 
blood  which  reached  to  the  eastern  and  northern  limits  of 
the  Confederacy.  Open  the  river,  and  the  states  would 
be  cut  in  twain,  and  so  the  government  at  Richmond 
determined  to  seize  and  fortify  these  two  natural  strong 
holds,  and  make  every  possible  effort  to  defend  them. 

Port  Hudson,  a  little  insignificant  village  with  a  few 
scattered  houses  and  a  single  church,  was  located  at  a 
bend  in  the  river,  on  the  east  bank,  about  twenty  miles 
above  Baton  Rouge,  connected  with  Clinton  by  a  rail 
road,  and  receiving  its  importance  because  it  happened 
to  be  the  port  to  which  was  shipped  by  railroad  the 
cotton  and  agricultural  supplies  of  the  interior.  Nature 
had  made  it  a  natural  stronghold.  The  banks  were  high 
and  precipitous. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  117 

Located  as  it  was  the  batteries  could  rake  the  river 
in  both  directions.  The  forces  of  nature  gullied  out 
deep  and  precipitous  ravines  which  protected  both  flanks 
of  the  rebel  works  next  the  water,  through  which  it 
seemed  impossible  for  an  attacking  force  to  make  a  suc 
cessful  assault  without  a  terrible  sacrifice  of  life.  This 
was  true  of  one-half  or  two-thirds  of  the  Confederate  line 
of  fortifications.  In  the  center  the  land  was  generally 
level  and  largely  covered  with  forests.  The  trees  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  rebel  works  had  been  cut  down,  forming 
an  almost  impenetrable  chevaux-de-frise,  so  that  an 
assaulting  army  must  penetrate  and  pass  through  this 
bristling  jungle  of  fallen  trees,  and  then  clamber  down 
and  up  a  wide  and  deep  moat  which  protected  the  rifle 
pits  and  batteries  on  the  other  side. 

On  the  13th  of  August,  1862,  the  Confederate  Maj.- 
Gen.  Earl  Vandorn  issued  an  order  from  Jackson,  Miss., 
to  General  Breckenridge  to  move  his  whole  force  to 
Port  Hudson  and  make  dispositions  for  holding  it,  and 
to  guard  roads  to  Camps  Moore  and  Clinton.  Accord 
ingly  direction  was  given  that  three  days'  subsistence  for 
four  thousand  men  should  be  kept  constantly  on  hand 
at  Port  Hudson,  and  General  Ruggles  was  commanded 
to  throw  up  fortifications,  having  by  the  21st  with  him  a 
force-  of  about  fifteen  hundred  men  in  addition  to  Briga 
dier-General  Bowen's  brigade.  On  this  day  Baton  Rouge 
was  evacuated  by  the  Union  forces.  The  work  had  pro 
ceeded  so  far  by  August  29  that  an  engagement  took 
place  between  the  United  States  steamer  Anglo-American 
and  the  Port  Hudson  batteries,  and  again  on  September  7 
with  the  Essex. 

On  August  29  General  Vandorn  ordered  General 
Ruggles  to  turn  over  the  command  to  Brig.-Gen.  W.  N.  R. 
Beall,  and  himself  to  report  at  Jackson. 

On  the  31st  of  August,  General  BealPs  report  showed 
as  present  an  aggregate  of  1,175  troops.  There  were  the 
30th  Louisiana  and  Miles  Legions,  and  of  the  artillery, 


118  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Capt.  R.  M.  Boone's  company,  Capt.  R.  T.  English's 
company,  Capt.  J.  A.  Hoskin's  company,  Capt.  G. 
Ralston's  company,  Capt.  C.  Robert's  company,  Capt. 
0.  J.  Semme's  company,  Capt.  A.  J.  Lewis's  company 
and  Capt.  C.  McLaurin's  Company.  On  December  2, 
General  Beall  had  a  force  present  for  duty  of  fifty-five 
hundred. 

December  28,  Gen.  Frank  Gardner  had  arrived  and 
taken  command  at  Port  Hudson,  where  he  remained 
until  the  capitulation  the  following  July.  At  this  time 
the  division  commanded  by  Gen.  Cuvier  Grover  at  Baton 
Rouge  comprised  the  1st  Brigade  —  the  6th  New  York, 
Colonel  Wilson;  12th  Maine,  Colonel  Kimball;  22d  Maine, 
Col.  S.  G.  Jerrard;  131st  New  York,  Colonel  Turnbull; 
2d  Brigade— 9th  Connecticut,  Colonel  Cahill;  41st  Mas 
sachusetts,  Colonel  Chickering;  52d  Massachusetts,  Colonel 
Greenleaf;  24th  Connecticut,  Colonel  Mansfield;  3d  Bri 
gade — 31st  Massachusetts,  Colonel  Gooding;  25th  Con 
necticut,  Colonel  Bissell;  26th  Maine,  Colonel  Hubbard; 
159th  New  York,  Colonel  Molineux. 

January  7,  Gardner's  total  effective  force  was  8,239; 
aggregate  present  10,422,  in  addition  to  2,500  in  Gregg's 
brigade.  This  did  not  include  the  garrisons  at  Camps 
Moore  and  Clinton. 

Port  Hudson  was  protected  by  a  line  of  fortifications 
about  four  and  one-half  miles  long,  beginning  on  the 
south  before  the  town  at  Ross  Landing  and  extending 
to  Thompson's  Creek,  about  one-half  mile  above  the 
town.  There  was  an  enclosed  bastion  near  Ross  Land 
ing  on  the  river  bank.  At  the  southeast  salient  was 
another  work,  a  third  one  at  the  junction  of  the  roads 
leading  to  Baton  Rouge  and  Port  Hudson,  and  there 
was  a  fourth  near  Thompson's  Creek. 

A  very  intelligent  account  of  the  defences  compiled 
from  a  report  made  by  Lieutenant  James  Freret,  one  of 
the  defenders  of  Port  Hudson  during  the  siege,  is  here 
given : 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  119 

"On  the  north  of  the  fortifications  the  ground  was 
suddenly  very  much  broken,  densely  wooded  and  almost 
impassable  to  Sandy  Creek,  a  branch  of  Thompson's 
Creek.  The  occupation  of  Port  Hudson  was  determined 
upon  in  July,  1862.  General  Ruggles  began  a  line  of 
detached  works  eight  miles  long.  This  would  require 
by  military  rule  a  force  of  defence  of  28,000  men,  a  re 
serve  of  7,000,  and  seventy  pieces  of  artillery.  Accord 
ingly  that  line  was  abandoned  as  impractical.  A  change 
of  commanders  placed  Gen.  William  N.  R.  Beall  in 
charge,  and  a  new  and  continuous  angular  line  was  sur 
veyed  on  a  contracted  scope,  connecting  two  and  a 
half  miles  below  Port  Hudson  and  describing  a  slight 
curve  to  a  point  on  Sandy  Creek  one  mile  back  of  the 
town.  For  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  the  line 
crossed  a  broken  series  of  ridges,  plateaus  and  ravines. 
For  the  next  mile  and  a  quarter  it  traversed  Slaughter's 
and  Gibbon's  fields,  where  a  wide  level  plain  seemed 
formed  on  purpose  for  a  battlefield.  Another  quarter 
of  a  mile  carried  it  through  deep  and  irregular  gullies, 
and  for  three-quarters  of  a  mile  more  it  led  through 
fields  and  on  hills  to  a  deep  gorge  in  the  bottom  of  which 
lay  Sandy  Creek;  thence  to  the  Mississippi  was  about 
a  mile  and  a  half.  This  was  a  line  four  miles  and  a  half 
long,  which  required  by  the  books  18,000  men  to  hold, 
including  reserves. 

"  Through  summer  and  fall  a  small  force  of  negroes 
was  kept  at  work  on  that  line  throwing  up  breastworks, 
and  finally  soldiers  were  called  to  help.  When  General 
Banks  threatened  an  attack  about  the  10th  of  March, 
1863,  the  work  was  still  unfinished.  Some  little  activity 
became  manifest,  so  that  when  the  siege  was  really 
commenced  the  line  had  reached  the  broken  grounds  to 
the  north  of  the  Clinton  road.  Soon  after  the  gloomy- 
looking  Essex  floated  down  opposite  us,  and  went  up 
the  river  again.  The  water  batteries  were  then  in  the 
process  of  excavation.  The  Essex  got  ready  to  go  down 


120  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

again,  and,  taking  the  Anglo-American  on  her  starboard 
side,  ran  past  at  four  A.M.  Besides  the  two  fieldpieces, 
we  opened  on  her  with  two  forty-two  pounders  and  a 
twenty-pound  Parrott  that  had  just  arrived.  She  replied, 
killing  one  of  our  horses. 

"  During  the  fall  and  winter  heavy  guns  for  winter 
defence  arrived  and  were  put  in  position.  A  three-pit 
battery  was  built  at  the  water's  edge,  and  two  others 
sixty  feet  up  at  the  top  of  the  bluff. 

"Gen.  Frank  Gardner  took  command  on  the  27th  of 
December,  1862,  and  immediately  ordered  changes,  par 
ticularly  as  regarded  subjects  of  engineering  skill.  The 
whole  system  of  river  defence  was  altered  so  as  to  cluster 
the  heaviest  guns  together,  bringing  them  all  within  a 
contracted  scope,  and  to  support  each  other.  Awakened 
energy  was  seen  on  every  side,  and  the  spirit  of  the 
troops  was  at  a  high  pitch.  During  the  months  of  Jan 
uary  and  February,  1863,  the  troops  arrived  in  consid 
erable  numbers.  Three  commands  were  formed  under 
the  commands  of  Generals  Beall,  Maxey  and  Gregg. 

"In  March  a  brigade  arrived  commanded  by  General 
Rust.  About  the  10th  of  March  it  became  known  that 
General  Banks  would  make  a  demonstration  of  some 
kind.  He  moved  from  Baton  Rouge  with  his  whole 
force,  and  we  were  prepared  to  meet  him  on  the  14th. 
Rust,  in  advance,  tried  to  feel  of  the  enemy  and  draw 
him  on,  but  in  vain.  General  Rust  next  applied  for 
permission  to  get  around  Banks's  right  flank,  but  was 
refused;  meanwhile  the  Federal  fleet  moved  up  the  river. 
From  the  Federal  fleet  the  flagship  Hartford,  with  a  gun 
boat  on  her  port  side,  came  so  near  to  our  battery  on 
passing  that  a  pistol  shot  would  have  taken  effect  on 
her  deck  at  that  moment.  Owing  to  the  want  of  reliable 
friction  tubes,  we  were  compelled  to  use  the  priming 
horn  and  port  fires,  which  at  best  are  unreliable  on  a 
dark  night,  and  the  port  fires  showed  our  position. 

"After  this  General  Banks  commenced   his   campaign 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  121 

against  General  Taylor.  We  were  now  lacking  provi 
sions  and  forage  was  scarce.  On  the  west  side  the  enemy 
interfered  with  our  transportation,  and  the  Grierson  raid 
on  the  east  side  stopped  the  corn  from  coming  in  and  we 
failed  to  stop  Grierson.  Events  began  to  thicken  in  this 
department.  Gen.  Joe  Johnson  ordered  Port  Hudson 
evacuated;  but  General  Gardner  had  not  got  beyond 
Clinton  when  he  found  that  General  Augur  had  left 
Baton  Rouge  for  Port  Hudson  and  that  Banks  was  com 
ing  by  forced  marches;  so  we  retreated  and  the  place 
was  finally  closed  in  on  all  sides  upon  the  21st  of  May. 

"The  approach  of  General  Augur's  division  from  Baton 
Rouge  was  announced  by  some  slight  brushes  with  our 
cavalry  pickets.  May  21  skirmished  heavily  all  the 
morning  near  the  Plains'  store  with  Augur's  advance. 
More  fighting  all  day;  retired  at  night  with  the  loss  of 
four  officers  and  eighty-nine  men  killed.  Friday,  May 
22,  Colonel  Wingfield's  cavalry  skirmished  with  the 
advance  of  General  Banks 's  army  moving  from  Bayou 
Sara,  thirteen  miles  distant.  It  had  been  generally 
thought  that  no  attack  would  ever  be  attempted  through 
the  swamp  above  Port  Hudson  nor  through  the  heavy 
timber  back  of  the  town;  but  it  having  become  apparent 
that  the  enemy  preferred  to  overcome  the  natural  ob 
stacles  of  the  woods  rather  than  the  artificial  ones  in  the 
shape  of  fortifications,  General  Gardner  sent  a  good  por 
tion  of  his  forces  to  meet  him  there,  giving  the  command 
to  Colonel  Steedman  of  the  1st  Alabama.  He  had  the 
15th,  10th  and  18th  Arkansas,  1st  Alabama  and  39th 
Mississippi,  also  a  company  of  Wingfield's  cavalry  dis 
mounted.  The  left  wing  had  also  Herrod's  battery  and 
a  section,  a  piece  of  Bradford's  and  Watson's  batteries. 
Rifle  pits  were  hastily  dug  and  the  valleys  and  gorges 
were  choked  with  fallen  timber,  their  only  protection." 

General  Banks,  after  the  demonstration  upon  Port 
Hudson  in  March,  when  Farragut  had  run  by  the  rebel 
batteries,  returned  as  has  been  said  to  Baton  Rouge,  and 


122  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

leaving  General  Dudley  with  a  few  regiments  to  garrison 
the  town,  made  his  campaign  through  the  Teche  country, 
advancing  as  far  as  Alexandria  on  the  Red  River.  Grant 
was  at  Vicksburg  and  Banks  was  expecting  to  receive 
assistance  and  co-operation  from  him  in  the  reduction  of 
Port  Hudson,  and  after  the  fall  of  this  stronghold  he  in 
turn  proposed  to  advance  with  his  army  to  the  aid  of 
Grant  in  the  capture  of  Vicksburg.  He  had  arranged 
to  reach  Bayou  Sara  by  May  25,  expecting  to  be  joined 
by  a  division  of  10,000  or  20,000  men  coming  down  the 
Mississippi. 

General  Gardner  to  Pemberton,  April  29,  1863: 
"Effective  infantry  8,600,  artillery  1,700,  cavalry  1,400  (includ 
ing  Ponchatoula):  total  force  11,700." 

General  Pemberton  to  President  Davis,  May  2,  1863: 
"Unless  I  am  heavily  re-enforced  I  think  Port    Hudson   and 

Grand  Gulf  should  be  evacuated,  and  all  concentrated  for  the 

defence  of  Vicksburg  and  Jackson." 

Gardner  to  Pemberton,  May  2,  1863: 

"Emory's  raid  (Grierson)  has  successfully  passed  to  Baton 
Rouge.  I  need  more  cavalry,  and  a  good  commander.  Can  I 
break  up  the  post  at  Ponchatoula?" 

Pemberton  to  Gardner,  May  4,  1863: 

"You  must  come  here,  and  bring  5,000  men  with  you,  Maxey's 
brigade.  Call  in  outposts  except  cavalry:  leave  sufficient  artillery 
for  the  defence  of  Port  Hudson." 

Davis  to  Pemberton: 

"  RICHMOND,  May  7,  1863. 

"Beauregard  cannot  spare  more  than  5,000  sent.  Want  of 
transportation  must  compel  the  enemy  to  seek  again  their  fleet 
in  a  few  days.  To  hold  both  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson  is  neces 
sary  to  a  connection  with  Trans-Mississippi." 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  123 

Pemberton  to  Gardner,  May  8,  1863: 

"Return  with  2,000  troops  to  Port  Hudson,  and  hold  it  to  the 
last.  President  Davis  says  both  places  must  be  held." 

Halleck  to  Grant,  May  11,  1863: 

"If  possible,  the  forces  of  yourself  and  General  Banks  should 
be  united  between  Vicksburg  and  Port  Hudson,  so  as  to  attack 
those  places  separately  with  the  combined  forces.  The  same  has 
been  urged  on  General  Banks." 

Grant  to  Banks  (extracts) : 

"  ROCKY  SPRINGS,  Miss.,  May  10,  1863. 

"It  was  my  intention  on  gaining  a  foothold  on  Grand  Gulf  to 
have  sent  a  sufficient  force  to  Port  Hudson  to  have  insured  the 
fall  of  that  place,  with  your  cooperation,  or  rather  to  have  co 
operated  with  you  to  secure  that  end.  Meeting  the  enemy  how 
ever,  as  I  did,  south  of  Port  Gibson,  I  followed  him  to  the  Big  Black, 
and  could  not  afford  to  retrace  my  steps.  Many  days  cannot 
elapse  before  the  battle  will  begin  which  is  to  decide  the  fate  of 
Vicksburg.  I  would  earnestly  request,  therefore,  that  you  join 
me  or  send  all  the  forces  you  can  spare  to  cooperate  in  the  great 
struggle  for  opening  the  Mississippi  River." 

Banks  to  Grant,  May  12,  1863: 

"I  have  neither  water  nor  land  transportation  to  join  you  at 
Vicksburg.  The  most  I  can  accomplish  is  to  cross  the  river  for 
the  purpose  of  operating  with  you  against  Port  Hudson.  Were  it 
within  the  range  of  human  power,  I  should  join  you,  for  I  am  dying 
with  a  kind  of  vanishing  hope  to  see  the  armies  acting  together 
against  the  strong  places  of  the  enemy.  We  believe  that  7,000 
of  the  enemy  have  left  Arkansas  River  to  join  Kirby  Smith." 

Banks  to  Halleck: 

"  NEW  ORLEANS,  May,  1863. 

"General  Grover's  division  left  Alexandria  the  14th;  Emory's, 
the  16th;  Weitzel  probably  marched  on  the  17th,  thus  concentrat 
ing  all  our  troops  at  Simsport  about  the  20th.  We  shall  move  on 
Port  Hudson  with  the  best  chance  of  success,  and  join  Grant  im 
mediately  after.  That  is  satisfactory  to  him,  and  he  will  send  re- 
enforcements  to  us  as  proposed  earlier,  for  which,  however,  we  shall 
not  wait.  Three  or  four  thousand  men  are  disabled  from  the 
incessant  labor  of  the  last  six  weeks.  General  Emory  will  be  left 


124  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

in  command  in  New  Orleans,  and  General  Sherman  will  be  assigned 
to  his  division.  General  Augur's  forces  move  to-morrow  towards 
Port  Hudson." 


Banks  to  Grant: 

"  ALEXANDRIA,  LA.,  May  13,  1863. 
"  Maj.-Gen.  GRANT, 

Commanding  Forces  at  Vicksburg. 

"  I  have  sent,  subsequent  to  the  dispatch  of  yesterday  transmitted 
by  Captain  Gibbs,  a  note  of  this  date  informing  you  of  my  deter 
mination  to  join  you  at  all  hazards,  with  as  little  delay  as  possible. 
There  are  great  difficulties  in  the  way  of  our  movements,  but  we 
shall  overcome  them  all.  My  belief  is  that  your  first  suggestion 
of  sending  a  force  to  cooperate  with  us  against  Port  Hudson  is  best. 
Port  Hudson  can  be  reduced  without  delay  and  with  perfect  cer 
tainty,  if  you  can  assist  me  with  from  10,000  to  20,000  men.  We 
can  then  aid  you  by  a  force  of  25,000,  and  if  Hunter  joins  us  with 
still  stronger  numbers,  and  furnish  supplies,  ammunition  and 
everything  necessary  for  the  support  of  your  army  and  our  own, 
from  New  Orleans,  without  trouble  or  delay.  I  earnestly  urge 
upon  you  the  consideration  of  this  subject  in  this  light,  but  should 
it  be  impossible  to  conform  with  it,  I  shall  move  to  you  as  soon  as 
possible  with  the  force  that  I  have  stated.  At  best  the  movements 
against  Port  Hudson  can  delay  us  but  a  few  days,  and  will  not  only 
give  you  our  cooperation,  but  will  free  your  cavalry  from  the  diffi 
culties  which  now  prevent  its  return.  My  headquarters  will  be 
at  Simsport  to-morrow." 

Halleck  to  Banks: 

"  WASHINGTON,  May  19,  1863. 

"I  see  by  the  newspapers  that  you  have  Alexandria,  and  General 
Grant  has  Jackson.  These  operations  are  too  eccentric.  I  urge 
that  you  unite  with  General  Grant  as  soon  as  possible.  I  have  no 
troops  to  re-enforce.  He  must  concentrate  his  forces,  and  not 
move  east  till  he  gets  control  of  the  Mississippi  River." 

Johnson  to  Gardner: 

"  C.S.A.  CAMP,  NEAR  VERNON,  Miss.,  May  19,  1863. 

"Vicksburg  is  invested.  Evacuate  Port  Hudson  forthwith,  and 
move  towards  Jackson.  Bring  all  but  heavy  guns  and  their 
ammunition,  which  destroy." 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  125 

Banks  to  Grant,  May  18,  1863: 

"My  belief  is  that  your  first  suggestion  of  sending  a  force  to  co 
operate  with  us  against  Port  Hudson  is  best.  Port  Hudson  can 
be  reduced  certainly,  and  without  delay,  if  you  can  assist  us  with 
10,000  or  20,000  men.  The  moral  effects  on  Vicksburg  of  the  re 
duction  of  this  post  and  the  junction  of  our  forces  will  be  great." 

Grant  to  Banks,  May  25,  1863: 

"I  now  have  Vicksburg  invested,  and  can  hold  the  enemy  or 
whip  him  if  he  comes  out.  The  place  is  so  strongly  fortified  that 
it  must  be  taken  by  an  assault,  and  great  sacrifice  of  life,  or  a  regular 
siege.  I  have  determined  to  adopt  the  latter  course,  and  save  my 
men.  The  greatest  danger  is  that  the  enemy  may  collect  a  force 
outside,  and  attempt  to  rescue  the  garrison.  When  I  began  writ 
ing  this,  it  was  my  intention  to  propose  sending  you  10,000  men  to 
cooperate  with  you  in  taking  Port  Hudson,  but  while  writing  a 
courier  came  in  from  my  cavalry,  saying  that  a  force  of  the  enemy 
was  now  thirty  miles  northeast  of  here,  so  it  is  imprudent  for  me 
to  send  away  any  men.  I  would  be  pleased,  General,  to  have  you 
come  with  such  force  as  you  are  able  to  spare.  I  am  in  hopes  this 
letter  will  find  you  in  possession  of  Port  Hudson." 

Halleck  to  Banks: 

"  WASHINGTON,  May  23,  1863. 

''General:  Your  dispatches  dated  Opelousas,  May  2  and  4,  are 
just  received.  I  regret  to  learn  from  them  that  you  are  still  pur 
suing  your  divergent  line  to  Alexandria,  while  General  Grant  has 
moved  on  Jackson,  instead  of  concentrating  with  him  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Mississippi,  as  you  proposed  in  your  previous  dispatch, 
and  as  I  have  continually  urged.  If  these  eccentric  movements, 
with  the  main  forces  of  the  enemy  on  the  Mississippi  River,  do  not 
lead  to  some  serious  disaster,  it  will  be  because  the  enemy  does  not 
take  full  advantage  of  his  opportunity.  I  assure  you  the  govern 
ment  is  exceedingly  disappointed  that  you  and  General  Grant  are 
not  acting  in  conjunction.  I  thought  to  secure  that  object  by 
authorizing  you  to  assume  the  entire  command  as  soon  as  you  and 
General  Grant  could  unite.  The  opening  of  the  Mississippi  River 
has  been  continually  presented  as  the  first  and  most  important 
object  to  be  attained.  Operations  up  the  Red  River,  towards 
Texas  or  towards  Alabama,  are  only  of  secondary  importance,  to 
be  undertaken  after  we  get  possession  of  the  river  and  as  circum 
stances  may  then  require.  If  we  fail  to  open  the  river,  these  second 
ary  operations  will  result  in  very  little  of  military  importance. 


126  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

I  have  continually  urged  these  views  upon  General  Grant,  and  I 
do  hope  there  will  be  no  further  delay  in  adopting  them.  If  Grant 
should  alone  succeed  in  beating  the  enemy  and  capturing  Vicks- 
burg,  all  will  be  well,  but  if  he  should  be  defeated  and  fail,  both 
the  armies  will  be  paralyzed,  and  the  entire  campaign  a  failure.  I 
can  well  understand  that  you  have  great  obstacles  to  overcome 
with  inadequate  means;  but  you  have  had  all  the  means  we  could 
possibly  give  you,  and  if  you  succeed  the  glory  will  be  so  much  the 
greater." 

Dana  to  Stan  ton: 

"  BEHIND  VICKSBURG,  May  26,  1863. 

"General  Grant  last  night  sent  a  staff  officer  to  General  Banks 
urging  him  to  bring  his  forces  here  as  promptly  as  practicable,  and 
assuring  him  that  he  (Grant)  would  gladly  serve  under  him  as  his 
superior  in  rank,  or  simply  cooperate  with  him,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  common  cause,  if  he  should  prefer  that  course." 

Dana  to  Stan  ton,  May  20,  1863: 

"At  General  Grant's  request  went  down  to  see  General  Banks, 
but  meeting  Grant's  previous  messenger,  I  returned.  Banks  has 
invested  Port  Hudson,  and  declined  to  send  any  force  here." 

On  May  21  was  fought  the  battle  at  Plains'  store  by 
General  Augur's  division,  in  which  all  the  regiments  of 
General  Dudley's  brigade  participated  except  the  50th, 
which  had  been  left  to  guard  the  bridge  at  White's 
Bayou.  This  skirmish,  which  lasted  several  hours,  re 
sulted  in  driving  the  enemy  back  towards  Port  Hudson, 
with  a  loss  on  our  side  of  15  killed,  71  wounded  and 

14  missing.     The  loss   in  our  brigade  was  2  killed  and 

15  wounded,  and  the  rebel  loss  was  said  to  have  been  89. 

Following  is  General  Dudley's  report: 

CAMP  AT  THE  PLAINS'  STORE,  May  23,  1863. 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  in  compliance  with  General 
Orders  No.  1,  dated  Headquarters  United  States  forces,  camp  on 
Merritt's  plantation,  May  20,  1863,  the  following  forces  under  my 
command  left  camp  at  six  A.M.  of  the  21st:  3d  Brigade,  1st  Division, 
consisting  of  30th  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  Lieut  .-Col.  W.  W. 
Bullock;  2d  Louisiana  Volunteers,  Col.  C.  J.  Paine;  174th  New 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  127 

York  Volunteers,  Lieut. -Col.  B.  F.  Gott,  accompanied  by  Cap 
tain  Godfrey's  squadron  of  cavalry,  four  pieces  of  light  artillery, 
Battery  G,  5th  United  States  Artillery,  Lieutenant  Rawles,  and 
one  section  of  the  18th  New  York  Battery  under  Sergt.  D.  W. 
McConnell,  and  proceeded  up  the  Bayou  Sara  road  to  the  opening 
of  the  first  plain,  when  the  advance  came  upon  a  considerable  picket 
force  of  the  enemy,  which  was  dispersed  by  Godfrey's  cavalry. 
The  column  continued  its  march  until  near  the  clearing  on  the 
west  side  of  the  plains,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the 
Plains'  store,  when  a  brisk  skirmish  was  opened  by  Captain  Fiske's 
and  Lieutenant  Johnston's  companies  of  the  30th  Massachusetts 
Volunteers,  which  were  thrown  out  onto  the  edge  of  the  woods  in 
front  of  the  enemy's  battery  position.  One  section  of  Light  Bat 
tery  G  was  placed  in  position  on  the  Bayou  Sara  road,  which  en 
gaged  the  rebel  battery  for  fully  half  an  hour  under  a  heavy  fire, 
but  failed  to  silence  it;  another  section  of  the  same  battery  and 
the  section  of  the  18th  New  York  were  brought  up,  and  even  this 
increased  fire  did  not  succeed  in  permanently  silencing  the  fire  of 
the  enemy.  The  section  of  the  18th  New  York,  by  direction  of 
Major-General  Augur,  was  withdrawn,  and  replaced  by  four  pieces 
of  the  Second  Vermont  Battery,  Captain  Holcomb.  The  pieces 
of  Lieutenant  Rawles  were  moved  to  the  right,  and  Holcomb 's 
sections  took  the  position  on  the  left  of  the  road,  the  latter  sup 
ported  by  the  174th  New  York,  and  the  right  pieces  supported  by 
four  companies  of  the  13th  Massachusetts.  The  2d  Louisiana 
Volunteers,  supported  by  the  161st  New  York  Volunteers,  moved 
through  the  woods  on  the  right,  with  a  view  of  getting  on  the  left 
of  the  enemy's  battery,  which  they  succeeded  in  doing.  The 
skirmish  fire  of  these  regiments,  with  the  three  companies  of  the 
30th  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  rendered  good  service,  and  ma 
terially  contributed  toward  driving  the  enemy  from  their  position. 
Previous  to  this  latter  disposition,  Captain  Ferris's  company  had 
been  sent  over  on  the  right  flank  of  the  column,  where  it  engaged 
the  enemy's  skirmishers,  having  one  lieutenant  and  one  man 
wounded.  This  company  took  several  prisoners,  and  completely 
cleared  the  woods  at  this  point.  The  concentrated  fire  of  this 
force  drove  the  enemy  from  his  position.  At  this  juncture  my 
command  was  immediately  ordered  to  move  to  the  front,  and 
take  position  near  the  Plains'  store.  One  section  of  Light  Battery 
G,  under  command  of  Lieutenant  Beck,  was  placed  on  the  Port 
Hudson  road,  the  other  on  the  Bayou  Sara  road,  where  it  remained 
until  the  renewed  attack  in  the  afternoon  on  the  right  flank,  when 
I  was  ordered  to  support  Holcomb 's  battery,  which  had  been  put 
in  position  on  the  Bayou  Sara  road,  about  250  yards  to  the  front  of 


128  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  junction  of  the  Port  Hudson  road.  This  was  gallantly  done  by 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Gott's  regiment,  174th  New  York  Volunteers. 
At  the  same  time  this  heavy  firing  was  going  on  in  front  of  the 
174th,  I  was  ordered  to  send  up  the  Port  Hudson  road  a  section 
of  artillery.  Lieutenant  Beck  responded  promptly  to  this  call, 
and  held  his  position  until  abandoned  by  his  support.  Having 
had  two  swing  horses  and  drivers  killed,  he  was  compelled  to  retire, 
leaving  one  piece  for  a  short  time  behind,  when  the  men  of  the 
reserve  pieces  joined  their  comrades  and  succeeded  in  bringing 
off  the  piece.  Holcomb's  battery  having  whipped  the  enemy  in 
front,  the  several  corps  took  up  their  positions  assigned  them  for 
the  night  on  the  field  from  which  they  had  driven  the  enemy. 
The  following  is  the  amount  and  character  of  ammunition  expended 
by  the  three  sections  of  artillery  attached  to  my  brigade:  forty- 
five  rounds  solid  shot,  twenty-two  rounds  spherical  case,  fifty- 
eight  rounds  shell,  eight  rounds  canister.  It  would  be  useless  to 
attempt  to  bestow  any  special  compliment  on  any  individual  of 
my  immediate  command  for  his  conduct  during  the  engagement; 
all  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  in  carrying  out  promptly  and  to 
the  letter  any  order  given.  Lieut.-Col.  Charles  Everett,  2d  Louisi 
ana,  and  First-Lieutenant  Norcross,  30th  Massachusetts,  were 
severely  wounded  while  engaging  the  enemy's  skirmishers  in  front. 
I  am  specially  indebted  to  the  members  of  my  staff,  Captains  Speed 
and  Whittier,  Lieutenants  Dean,  Skinner  and  Loring,  for  their 
prompt  and  efficient  services  in  transmitting  orders  from  point  to 
point,  frequently  under  a  heavy  cross  fire  of  canister  and  shell. 
Annexed  is  a  list  of  killed,  wounded  and  missing  of  this  brigade 
and  the  corps  attached. 

I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY, 
Colonel  and  Acting  Brigadier-General. 
Captain  HALSTED, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


On  May  19,  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston  sent  orders  to 
General  Gardner  to  evacuate  Port  Hudson,  but  they  were 
sent  too  late.  On  the  21st,  General  Gardner  sent  to  Gen 
eral  Johnston  a  dispatch  that  the  Federals  were  about 
to  cross  at  Bayou  Sara;  that  the  whole  force  from  Baton 
Rouge  was  in  his  front  and  asking  to  be  re-enforced,  and 
on  the  reception  of  this  dispatch  Gardner  was  again 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  129 

ordered  to  evacuate  Port  Hudson,  but  before  the  order 
reached  him  the  place  had  been  invested. 

As  appears  from  the  correspondence  between  General 
Grant  and  General  Banks,  the  latter  had  expected  to 
reach  Bayou  Sara  from  Alexandria  about  May  25 
with  the  divisions  under  Generals  Emory,  Grover  and 
Weitzel,  and  there  to  be  joined  by  a  force  sent  by  Grant, 
intending  to  invest  and  reduce  Port  Hudson,  after  which 
Banks  proposed  to  march  to  the  assistance  of  Grant  at 
Vicksburg;  but  the  position  of  the  latter  was  such  that 
he  could  then  spare  no  troops,  and  so  Banks  was  obliged 
to  rely  on  his  own  resources.  No  further  assistance  could 
be  furnished  him  from  the  North. 

Halleck  at  Washington  was  impatient  because  the  two 
armies  were  not  concentrated  upon  one  objective  point 
on  the  Mississippi,  acting  in  mutual  concert,  character 
izing  their  movements  as  too  eccentric.  Grant  was  calling 
upon  Banks  for  help,  and  Banks  was  appealing  to  Grant 
for  aid.  It  was  a  critical  time  and  called  for  the  exercise 
of  the  soundest  judgment.  Johnston  was  at  Jackson. 
Taylor  with  a  considerable  force  was  west  of  the  Missis 
sippi,  ready  to  follow  after  the  Unionists  as  they  left  the 
Teche  country.  Several  thousand  men  were  at  Clinton 
and  outside  of  Port  Hudson,  and  another  force  at  Mobile. 
If  Banks  had  abandoned  Port  Hudson  and  detached 
any  considerable  part  of  the  19th  Army  Corps  to  go  to 
Vicksburg,  Gardner  would  have  been  relieved  and  the 
Confederates  might  well  have  collected  from  east  and 
west  and  north  and  by  a  combined  movement  have  taken 
New  Orleans.  Louisiana  would  have  been  left  unpro 
tected,  ripe  to  fall  back  once  more  into  the  arms  of  the 
Confederacy.  The  wisest  and  safest  course  was  adopted, 
as  was  demonstrated  by  subsequent  events. 

As  the  first  move  towards  the  siege,  General  Augur's 
division  had  left  Baton  Rouge,  May  12,  and  marched 
up  the  river,  engaging  the  attention  of  the  enemy,  and 
within  striking  distance  if  he  should  attempt  to  escape. 


130  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Banks's  command,  fresh  from  the  Teche  campaign,  moved 
from  Simsport,  Grover  on  the  18th  and  Emory  on  the 
19th,  landing  at  Bayou  Sara  at  two  o'clock  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  22d,  reached  Newport  on  the  23d  and  moved 
on  to  Port  Hudson.  General  Weitzel  reached  Simsport 
on  the  23d  and  followed  a  little  later.  Gen.  W.  T. 
Sherman,  who  had  been  at  New  Orleans,  arrived  at  Gen 
eral  Augur's  headquarters  also  on  the  22d  and  was  directed 
to  take  position  on  the  Bayou  Sara  road  just  below 
Augur's  position,  but  on  the  next  day  moved  to  a  position 
on  the  western  Port  Hudson  road  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
schoolhouse,  about  four  miles  from  Port  Hudson,  so  by 
the  22d,  Sherman  and  Augur  were  in  front  of  the  rebel 
fortifications  on  the  south,  and  Banks  with  Grover  and 
Emory  had  reached  Bayou  Sara  on  the  north. 

We  commenced  to  invest  Port  Hudson  on  the  19th  and 
completed  it  on  the  24th.  On  the  morning  of  May  25 
the  investing  army  occupied  the  following  positions: 
Sherman  was  on  the  left  in  front  of  the  enemy's  first  line 
of  rifle  pits,  having  his  pickets  at  the  edge  of  a  skirt  of 
woods,  separated  from  the  main  line  of  works  by  an  open 
plain,  posted  in  front  of  the  schoolhouse.  Augur  came 
next  on  the  road  from  the  Plains  to  Port  Hudson.  Then 
came  Grover  on  the  Jackson  road  opposite  the  center  of 
the  rebel  works.  Weitzel  with  his  own  brigade,  Dwight's 
and  Paine's  (Emory's)  division  reduced  to  about  a  brigade, 
were  on  the  right  where  the  Telegraph  road  from  Port 
Hudson  to  Bayou  Sara  crossed  the  Big  Sandy  Creek. 
On  the  26th,  General  Weitzel  on  our  right  turned  the 
head  of  Big  Sandy  Creek  and  pushed  through  the  woods 
on  that  part  of  the  line  up  to  the  abattis  which  continued 
the  Confederate  line  of  defence  toward  his  left. 

During  the  afternoon  the  enemy  made  a  determined 
attack  on  our  right,  but  was  driven  back  in  confusion, 
and  the  Federals  held  their  ground.  Colonel  Prince,  with 
the  7th  Illinois  Cavalry  and  a  section  of  the  1st  Illinois 
Battery,  crossed  Thompson's  Creek  to  destroy  the  enemy's 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  131 

means  of  transportation,  for  the  purpose  of  preventing 
any  attempt  he  might  make  to  escape  at  that  point,  and 
captured  two  large  steamers,  the  Starlight  and  Red  Chief. 
This  day  about  ninety  pieces  of  artillery  were  placed  in 
position  for  the  purpose  of  opening  an  attack  upon  the 
rebel  works. 

In  anticipation  of  the  attack  of  the  27th,  on  the  26th 
General  Banks  issued  the  following  order: 

SPECIAL  ORDERS, 
No.  23. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF,  19TH  A.C., 

RILEY'S,  BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  May  26,  1863. 
Arrangements  for  to-morrow,  May  27,  1863. 

I.  General  Grover  will  order  a  battery,  preferably  of  Napoleon 
guns,  to  report  to  General  Sherman  to-night. 

II.  Brigadier-General  Arnold,  chief  of  artillery,  will  take  charge 
of  all  heavy  artillery  not  now  assigned  to  divisions  or  brigades. 
The  light  artillery  as  assigned  to  divisions  by  existing  orders,  in 
cluding  this  order,  will  be  under  the  direction  of  the  respective 
division  commanders,  to  be  used  according  to  circumstances. 

III.  Generals  Augur  and    Sherman  will  open  fire  with    their 
artillery  upon  the  enemy's  works  at  daybreak.     They  will  dispose 
of  their  troops  so  as  to  annoy  the  enemy  as  much  as  possible  during 
the  cannonade  by  advancing  skirmishers  to  kill  the  enemy's  can 
noneers,  and  to  cover  the  advance  of  the  assaulting  column.     They 
will  place  their  troops  in  position  to  take  instant  advantage  of  any 
favorable  opportunity,  and  will  if  possible  force  the  enemy's  works 
at  the  earliest  moment. 

IV.  General  Augur  will  cause  the  heavy  artillery  under  him 
to  be  supported  by  one  regiment  of  infantry.     General  Sherman 
will  see  that  all  the  artillery  in  his  front  is  properly  supported. 

V.  General  Weitzel  will,  according  to  verbal  directions  already 
given  him,  take  advantage  of  attacks  on  other  parts  of  the  line 
to  endeavor  to  force  his  way  into  the  enemy's  works  on  our  right. 

VI.  General  Grover  will  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  re-enforce 
within  the  right  or  left  if  necessary,  or  to  force  his  way  into  the 
enemy's  works.     He  will  also  protect  the  right  flank  of  the  heavy 
artillery,  should  it  become  necessary. 

VII.  Generals  Augur,  Sherman,  Grover  and  Weitzel  will  con 
stantly  keep  up  their  connections  with  the  commands  next  them, 
so  as  to  afford  mutual  aid  and  avoid  mistakes. 


132  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

VIII.  The  fire  of  the  heavy  artillery  will  be  opened  by  General 
Arnold  at  as  early  an  hour  as  practicable,  say  six  A.M. 

IX.  Commanders  of  divisions  will  provide  the  necessary  needs 
for  passing  the  ditch  on  their  respective  points  of  attack. 

X.  All  the  operations  herein  directed  must  commence  at  the 
earliest  hour  practicable. 

XI.  Port  Hudson  must  be  taken  to-morrow. 

BY  COMMAND  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  BANKS. 
RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


ROBERT  W.  REEVES 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  A,  50th  Mass. 


JOHN  S.  CONEY 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  D,  50th  Mass. 


SAMUEL  C.  TRULL 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  C,  50th  Mass  . 


EDWARD  W.  PHILLIPS 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  B,  50th  Mass. 


HORACE  M.  WARREN 
1st  Lieut.  Co.  E,  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  133 


CHAPTER  XII 

ASSAULT  OP  MAY  27,  1863,  ON  POET  HUDSON  —  DIARIES  OF 
WILLIAM  C.  EUSTIS,  JAMES  HOWE  AND  SERGEANT 
NELSON 

ON  the  morning  of  the  27th  the  different  divisions 
of  the  besieging  army  preparatory  to  the  assault 
occupied   the  same   relative   positions   as   on   the 
day  before:  that  is,  Sherman  was  on  the  left  towards  the 
river;  next  to   him  came   Augur,  then   Grover,  and   to 
the  right  of  Grover  and  on  our  extreme  right  Weitzel, 
commanding  his  own  and  D wight's  brigade  and  Paine 's 
(formerly  Emory's)   division,  now  reduced  to  about  a 
brigade.     General    Dudley's    brigade   was   comprised   in 
Augur's  division. 

As  already  stated,  the  50th,  after  a  toilsome  and  dusty 
march  from  White's  Bayou,  had  arrived  in  front  of  Port 
Hudson  by  the  Bayou  Sara  road  about  midnight,  and 
thrown  themselves  upon  the  ground  for  a  few  hours'  rest. 
The  boom  of  heavy  guns  from  Farragut's  fleet  during  the 
night  was  the  grim  forerunner  of  the  tragedy  that  was  to 
be  enacted  the  following  day.  No  one  of  the  regiment 
who  was  present  can  easily  forget  the  picture  stamped 
upon  the  memory  by  the  events  of  that  early  May  morn 
ing.  In  the  first  place,  it  was  understood  from  the  re 
ports  and  rumors  of  the  day  before  that  the  assault  was 
to  be  made  and  the  real  battle  at  once  begun.  Of  course 
we  did  not  know  the  work  that  would  be  assigned  to  our 
particular  regiment  or  to  our  several  companies,  but  one 
thing  was  known  beyond  a  reasonable  doubt,  and  that 
was  that  the  supreme  hour  of  action  was  near  at  hand. 
We  were  there  for  a  definite  purpose,  that  purpose  was 
to  be  accomplished  at  whatever  cost,  and  the  sooner  done 


134  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  better  for  us  all.  No  one  conceived  of  but  one  possible 
result,  and  that  was  the  capture  of  the  rebel  works. 

It  is  always  well  to  have  a  definite  object  in  view,  and 
still  better  to  have  absolute  faith  that  you  will  effect 
that  object.  At  the  first  break  of  day  bustle  and  activ 
ity  reigned  supreme  on  every  side.  Long  rows  of  men 
were  rising  from  the  ground  and  preparing  for  action. 
Artillery  was  getting  into  position,  orderlies  and  staff 
officers  tearing  along  the  lines  issuing  orders  in  all  direc 
tions.  The  light  artillery  had  been  ordered  to  open  at 
daylight,  and  the  heavy  artillery  at  six  A.M.  Along  the 
entire  distance  from  left  to  right  the  open  mouths  of 
nearly  a  hundred  guns  faced  the  rebel  works,  and  soon 
after  sunrise  a  furious  and  terrific  cannonade  extended 
along  the  entire  line. 

The  position  on  our  right  acquired  by  Weitzel  the  day 
before  was  so  close  to  the  enemy  it  was  expected  that  the 
actual  assault  would  begin  in  that  quarter,  and  here  it 
was  anticipated  the  first  entrance  into  the  Confederate 
fortifications  would  be  effected. 

Opposed  to  Weitzel  was  I.  G.  W.  Steedman,  colonel 
of  the  1st  Alabama  Volunteers.  Before  undertaking  to 
give  an  account  of  the  general  operations  of  the  day,  it 
may  be  well  to  confine  ourselves  at  the  outset  to  the 
experience  so  far  as  possible  of  the  50th. 

At  hardly  any  time  during  the  day,  after  the  early 
morning,  was  the  entire  regiment  together  under  one 
command.  The  companies  were  most  of  them  detailed 
till  afternoon  in  supporting  heavy  artillery,  and  later  in 
the  day  Companies  K,  A,  F  and  G,  under  Major  Hodges, 
took  part  in  the  more  direct  effort  to  assault  the  enemy's 
entrenchments  near  the  center,  while  the  rest  of  the 
regiment,  under  Colonel  Messer,  was  posted  somewhat 
farther  to  the  left,  remaining  under  cover  of  fallen 
trees  till  towards  evening,  when  any  further  effort  to 
continue  the  assault  was  for  the  time  being  abandoned. 

As  we  fell  into  line  in  the  early  morning  we  were  com- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  135 

pelled  to  go  on  duty  with  empty  stomachs.  Our  place 
of  bivouac  the  night  before  had  been  near  the  entrance 
to  one  of  those  ravines  which  characterize  the  environs  of 
Port  Hudson,  which  we  occupied  for  some  days  subse 
quently.  Marching  to  the  right  in  the  direction  of  the 
Clinton  railroad,  now  skirting  along  the  edge  of  ravines 
and  sometimes  passing  through  them,  keeping  so  far  as 
possible  under  cover  of  trees  and  embankments,  it  was 
at  first  a  little  trying  to  one's  nerves  to  hear  the  shells 
shrieking  through  the  air,  then  descending  to  the  ground, 
exploding,  tearing  up  the  earth  and  scattering  destruc 
tion  in  our  immediate  neighborhood;  but  we  soon  found 
the  chances  were  a  good  many  to  one  that  no  one  would 
be  hurt,  and  after  a  little  time  the  sound  became  familiar, 
and  we  came  almost  to  think  it  was  possible  to  get  the 
direction  and  dodge  the  missile  before  it  reached  the 
ground.  If  the  dictionary  contained  the  word  "zip"  it 
would  nearly  express  a  more  dreaded  sound  made  by  a 
minie  ball  as  it  whizzes  through  space  cleaving  the  air 
and  boring  a  hole  wherever  it  strikes. 

Comrade  Eustis  thus  describes  the  experience  of  Com 
pany  E  during  the  forenoon,  which  was  detailed  to  sup 
port  a  section  of  the  21st  Indiana  (Heavy  Artillery): 

"'For  God's  sake  hurry  up,  boys,  they  are  shooting 
us  down!'  was  the  order  of  the  adjutant  of  the  artillery 
and  was  the  introduction  to  our  first  battle.  Company 
E  stacked  their  guns,  threw  off  their  equipments  and 
helped  Company  G,  21st  Indiana  (Heavy  Artillery),  called 
the  'Jackass  Regiment, '  as  the  guns  were  drawn  by  mules; 
worked  their  guns  from  sunrise  till  two  P.M.,  being  ex 
posed  to  shells  and  solid  shot  of  the  rebels,  with  no  earth 
works  thrown  up  for  our  protection. 

"This  was  my  first  experience  in  battle,  and  rather 
indescribable  except  by  war  correspondents.  There  was 
lively  dodging;  first  we  saw  the  flash,  then  heard  the 
report,  and  then  saw  the  ball.  Two  men  were  killed  on 
this  spot  by  a  single  shot.  The  men  had  no  breakfast, 


136  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  rations  were  not  served  until  one  o'clock  P.M.,  con 
sisting  of  government  bread  and  whiskey.  The  Indiana 
boys  would  not  eat  a  mouthful  till  their  Massachusetts 
comrades  were  first  served." 

Other  companies  of  the  regiment  were  supporting 
batteries  or  in  the  infantry  charge  on  the  works.  Com 
rade  Howe,  of  Company  F,  writes  as  follows  in  his  journal: 

"  Wednesday,  May  27.  So  tired  last  night  that  I  could 
not  sleep.  Before  breakfast  we  were  ordered  to  the  sup 
port  of  the  battery,  and  from  that  time  until  about  one 
o'clock  occasionally  a  shot  or  shell  would  whistle  over 
our  heads.  At  one  o'clock  we  were  ordered  to  form  part 
of  a  storming  party.  Now  we  were  to  commence  active 
operations,  and  formed  about  a  mile  from  the  outworks 
in  the  woods.  Two  regiments,  about  two  o'clock,  charged 
out  of  the  woods  and  rushed  towards  the  enemy's  works 
with  a  yell.  They  were  received  with  a  shower  of  canister 
and  grape,  which  made  great  havoc  with  our  men. 
Charles  Stickney,  who  was  by  the  side  of  me,  was  struck 
by  a  spent  ball  in  the  ankle,  and  wounded  slightly,  the 
ball  going  very  near  my  head.  Two  o'clock  we  were 
ordered  forward.  Now  was  the  trying  time.  Advanc 
ing  towards  the  breastworks,  the  enemy  firing  in  volleys 
of  musketry  together  with  grape  and  canister,  we  man 
aged  to  get  within  a  few  hundred  yards  of  the  entrench 
ments,  when  getting  behind  a  large  stump  we  commenced 
firing.  We  lay  in  this  position  until  sunset,  when  we 
were  ordered  to  retire,  which  we  did  in  good  order. 

"All  along  the  road  were  the  wounded,  covered  with 
blood  and  dirt,  awful  to  look  upon.  This  has  been  a 
trying  day  to  us,  and  we  have  behaved  admirably,  with 
a  few  exceptions.  The  battery  we  supported  in  the 
morning  was  the  21st  Indiana.  Our  company  went  into 
action  under  command  of  Lieut.  David  Boynton.  We 
advanced  as  far  as  any  other  regiment,  and  we  were  the 
last  to  leave  the  field.  Were  under  fire  five  hours,  and 
when  ordered  to  retire,  obeyed  with  great  reluctance. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  137 

In  the  morning,  when  supporting  the   Indiana   battery , 
saw  General  Banks  for  the  first  time  as  a  military  officer." 

A  comrade  of  Company  A  records  his  experience  of 
May  27: 

"May  26,  four  P.M.  On  the  march  to  Port  Hudson, 
marching  without  a  rest  until  twelve,  midnight,  arriving 
pretty  well  tired  out ;  we  got  to  sleep  about  one  A.M.,  turned 
out  about  three  A.M.,  and  went  to  the  support  of  the  21st 
Indiana  Heavy  Artillery.  Balls  were  flying  around  rather 
carelessly.  A  shell  struck  and  exploded  in  the  top  of  a 
tree,  where  there  was  a  sutler  under  it;  he  running  and 
leaving  his  goods,  which  happened  at  an  opportune 
moment,  as  the  boys  had  had  nothing  to  eat  since  the 
day  before,  no  rations  having  been  issued  since  that 
time.  Two  P.M.,  four  companies  under  Major  Hodges, 
including  Company  A,  were  sent  to  the  left  center  to  join 
in  the  assault  there  taking  place.  Passing  in  by  the 
flank,  we  moved  forward  under  a  heavy  fire,  continuing 
until  5.30  P.M.,  when  owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground 
and  the  distance  over  which  the  assault  had  to  be  made 
the  troops  were  withdrawn,  the  assault  having  been  a 
failure,  with  a  loss  to  the  Union  side  of  about  1,500  killed 
and  wounded." 

One  of  the  fullest  diaries  of  the  assault  was  kept  by 
Sergeant  Nelson: 

"About  three  o'clock,  May  27,  we  were  routed  out,  and 
just  as  we  were  ready  to  go  in  somewhere  General  Dudley 
appeared  before  us  with  advice  and  instruction.  Said 
he,  'You  are  for  the  first  time  to  be  placed  under  fire; 
keep  cool,  keep  steady,  and  above  all  mind  your  com 
mander/ 

"Few  and  short  were  the  prayers  we  said/  but  if  this 
isn't  fighting  on  an  empty  stomach,  what  is  it?  Not  a 
crust  since  yesterday  noon,  and  here  we  are  going  to 
take  Port  Hudson  before  breakfast.  Over  in  a  deep 
ravine  caused  by  spring  freshets,  but  now  dry,  we  crept, 
while  just  above  us  on  the  high  ground  was  the  battery 


138  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

which  we  were  to  protect.  Where  we  lay  the  rebel  shot 
and  shell  flew  fast  and  furious  over  our  heads,  but  did  us 
no  damage.  Several  times  we  had  orders  to  form  double 
quick  and  run  up  the  hill  and  face  the  enemy,  as  they 
were  about  making  an  attack  upon  the  battery;  but  they 
didn't  come  and  back  we  went.  The  battery  men  are 
being  slaughtered  terribly.  Calls  are  made  for  men  to 
bury  the  dead  constantly;  several  of  Company  K  are 
doing  the  sexton's  work.  The  continued  sharp  crack 
of  the  rifled  cannon  from  our  battery  and  the  shriek  of 
the  enemy's  shells  as  they  go  over  our  heads  or  burst  near 
us  are  altogether  unpleasant,  whatever  others  may  say 
to  the  contrary.  I  felt  just  as  another  man  near  me  said 
he  did.  The  air  seemed  full  of  flying  deadly  missiles. 
Hanson  set  up  a  childish  cry,  saying,  'I  wish  I  were  in 
father's  barn.'  '  What  would  you  do  then? '  '  Oh,  I  'd  go 
into  the  house.' 

"The  cooks  having  arrived,  drew  a  ration  of  bread  and 
came  around  with  it.  When  gnawing  the  crust  amidst 
the  jarring  elements,  I  thought  of  the  stalled  ox  and  the 
dinner  of  herbs,  and  of  that  old  ancestor  of  mine  who 
could  n't  find  room  on  the  salt  marshes  of  Rowley  to  eat 
his  beans.  While  thus  thinking,  I  was  brought  to  the 
outer  world  by  one  of  the  battery  boys  coming  down 
over  the  bank  and  landing  on  my  head.  Then  came  a 
lull  in  the  storm. 

"Old  soldiers  tell  us  the  firing  has  been  quite  terrific, 
so  we  have  seen  something  of  war.  At  this  time  the  com 
panies  of  our  regiment  were  formed  to  go  to  another  part 
of  the  field.  While  waiting  for  orders  to  move,  Dr.  Cogs 
well  regaled  us  with  a  few  patriotic  sentiments.  The  old 
Bay  State  was  feelingly  alluded  to;  some  of  us  felt  so 
badly  about  the  dear  old  state  that  we  almost  wished  we 
were  up  there  with  her.  I  know  I  thought  it  would  be 
delightful  to  sit  on  a  horse  as  a  member  of  the  medical 
fraternity  and  talk  patriotism  and  glory  hallelujah,  for 
all  civilized  nations  acknowledge  the  code,  and  army 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  139 

surgeons  as  such  are  permitted  to  travel  unmolested 
almost  anywhere. 

"  After  a  short  rest,  forward,  down  the  center,  where  the 
line  of  battle  was  formed  in  the  woods.  The  50th  was 
represented  by  four  companies,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Hodges,  Company  K  on  the  right.  As  we  were 
passing  on  to  our  place  in  line,  General  Augur  was  stand 
ing  behind  an  enormous  great  gum  tree,  and  the  bullets 
were  whistling  like  hailstones  through  the  branches. 
As  I  passed  within  three  feet  of  him  he  gave  the  order, 
'Forward,  men,  shield  yourselves  as  much  as  possible 
behind  stumps  and  trees,  but  keep  moving  forward 
toward  the  breastworks.'  I  did  not  make  any  reply,  but 
kept  moving.  The  moment  the  line  was  formed  it  was 
face  to  the  front  and  pitch  in.  We  were  on  the  extreme 
left,  the  48th  was  next  to  us,  beyond  them  was  the  49th, 
led  by  their  saucy-looking  commander,  Colonel  Bartlett, 
on  horseback,  the  only  mounted  man  to  be  seen,  while 
stretching  far  away  a  long  distance  could  be  seen  a  solid 
column  of  men  pressing  forward  with  guns  glistening  in 
the  bright  sunlight,  hurrying  up  towards  the  earthworks. 
The  batteries  at  different  points  were  pouring  in  a  con 
tinual  shower  of  shot  and  shell.  The  roar  of  the  cannon 
ading,  the  wild  yell  of  the  soldiers,  the  whistling  minie 
balls  as  they  flew  over  and  around  us,  the  horrible  shriek 
of  the  shrapnel,  grape  and  canister,  were  sounds,  to  a 
peaceful  citizen  like  myself,  altogether  unpleasant,  and 
what  made  it  still  more  aggravating,  not  a  single  rebel 
head  could  be  seen  to  fire  at.  As  we  worked  up  nearer 
the  fortifications  the  line  began  to  lose  its  regularity,  and 
soon,  it  being  evident  that  the  assault  was  a  failure,  the 
word  was  passed  down  the  line  to  'halt'  and  each  one 
look  out  for  himself.  I  know  one  thing  and  it  is  this, 
that  the  50th  got  as  near  the  sand  bags  as  any  regiment, 
and  Major  Hodges  led  the  column. 

"Just  before  the  order  to  'fall  back7  reached  us,  a  large 
piece  of  shell  struck  the  ground  just  in  advance  of  the 


140  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

major  and  covered  him  over  with  sand.  Throwing  himself 
around  and  shaking  the  dirt  off,  he  swung  his  sword  high 
in  the  air  and  cried  out,  'Come  on,  boys.'  Close  behind 
him  were  Barnes  and  Bradstreet,  and  Company  K  followed 
close  up.  Immediately  after  we  got  the  word  each  man 
struck  for  the  safest  place,  behind  stumps,  logs  and  up 
rooted  trees.  After  repeated  attempts  and  repeated  fail 
ures,  at  last  my  '  good  angel '  got  me  behind  an  enormous 
log,  and  here,  with  Pierce,  we  lay  for  several  hours,  the 
balls  whistling  over  our  heads,  sometimes  stripping  a  piece 
of  bark  from  our  shelter,  but  what  cared  we?  With  our 
heads  together  we  talked,  ate  the  remainder  of  our 
breakfast  and  then  slept.  During  this  unsuccessful 
assault  officers  and  privates  got  considerably  mixed  up, 
though  men  who  have  been  raised  to  the  dizzy  altitude 
of  second  lieutenants  find  themselves  crowded  and  jostled 
by  high  privates  who  work  for  thirteen  dollars  a  month 
and  take  no  responsibility.  More  than  one  unfortunate 
colonel  found  himself  sans  horse,  sans  sword,  sans  every 
thing,  and  none  to  do  him  reverence.  Unless  an  officer 
is  high  enough  in  command  to  be  at  the  head  and  direct, 
his  chances  are  no  better  than  a  lesser  light.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  O'Brien,  of  the  48th,  lay  dead  quite  near  our  place 
of  safety.  Here  and  there  all  about  us,  where  we  lay, 
could  be  seen  a  blanket  spread  over  some  dead  body;  for 
this  is  the  most  that  can  be  done  at  this  time.  Those 
wounded  sometimes  take  the  risk  and,  aided  by  comrades, 
will  creep  to  some  safe  place  and  have  their  wounds 
attended  to,  but  in  most  cases  the  dead  and  wounded  lay 
as  they  fell  until  towards  night,  when  the  bugle  called  out 
*  cease  firing,'  and  immediately  all  strife  stopped.  Then 
commenced  carrying  off  the  dead  and  wounded. 

"In  every  direction  could  be  seen  parties  with  stretchers 
conveying  to  the  woods  in  the  rear  those  who  had  fallen. 
At  the  same  time  the  rebel  earthworks  were  completely 
covered  with  their  soldiers  a  long  way  to  the  right  and 
left.  Not  a  word  was  spoken  on  either  side.  In  this 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  141 

singular  attitude  we  were  for  an  hour.  A  little  while  ago 
we  were  firing  into  each  other's  bosoms,  and  now  we  are 
within  speaking  distance  and  not  an  unfriendly  remark 
is  made. 

"By  night  our  men  were  all  called  from  the  field,  the 
dead  were  buried  and  the  wounded  carried  to  the  rear. 
Then  our  regiment  was  ordered  back  to  the  last  night's 
camping  ground.  The  assault  has  been  a  total  failure; 
hundreds  have  been  slaughtered  and  nothing  gained;  the 
fact  is,  the  place  is  too  strong  to  be  taken  by  an  assault 
without  a  great  many  more  men.  It  is  an  axiom  in  war, 
that  any  fortification  can  be  carried  by  assault  if  there 
are  men  enough;  but  General  Banks  has  not  enough  to 
fill  the  ditches.  It  is  simply  a  matter  of  preponderance, 
and  our  side  has  not  the  preponderance.  I  never  saw  a 
more  sorry  and  more  disappointed  body  of  men  than  is 
outside  of  Port  Hudson  to-night.  This  morning  in  antici 
pation  it  was  promised  that,  by  persistent  hard  fighting, 
the  patient  waiting  and  long  steady  preparation  through 
which  we  have  passed  for  many  long,  weary  days,  weeks 
and  months  would  receive  its  reward  by  seeing  the  stars 
and  stripes  floating  from  the  flagstaff  inside  of  Port 
Hudson;  and  we  will  'some  day,  but  not  to-day,  Johnny.' 

"On  the  way  back  we  passed  several  field  hospitals 
where  the  surgeons  were  busy  at  work;  my  curiosity  was 
not  strong  enough  to  stop  me  and  see  what,  perhaps, 
they  may  be  doing  to  me  to-morrow.  Too  discouraged 
and  tired  to  talk,  we  soon  drop  asleep,  expecting  to  go  in 
again  any  moment,  for  this  is  not  the  end." 

As  appears  from  the  foregoing  journals  the  regiment 
was  engaged  during  the  forenoon  in  supporting  the  21st 
Indiana  (Heavy  Artillery),  the  cannonade  on  the  left 
and  center  having  continued  during  that  time. 

At  about  two  o'clock  Augur's  division  was  ordered  to 
advance.  The  regiment  at  this  time  was  separated,  Com 
panies  A,  G,  K  and  F  pushing  forward  in  the  line  of 
assault  under  Major  Hodges,  while  the  rest  of  the  regi- 


142  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

merit,  under  Colonel  Messer,  marched  towards  the  left 
and  from  there  advanced  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's 
works,  but  did  not  get  through  the  obstructions  in  front 
of  them. 

Having  been  without  rations  during  the  day,  the  writer 
was  detailed  to  go  back  for  bread  where  the  company 
cook  had  been  left  in  the  morning,  and  on  returning  he 
found  that  during  his  absence  the  detachment  under  the 
colonel  had  gone.  Securing  his  gun  and  starting  in  pur 
suit  of  his  company,  after  continued  inquiry  he  was  able 
to  locate  them,  and  crept  up  well  towards  the  front. 
The  men  at  that  time  could  hardly  be  said  to  have  stood 
in  serried  column  or  to  have  presented  a  very  formidable 
or  altogether  martial  appearance.  They  were  not  at 
that  moment  making  of  themselves  targets  for  rebel 
sharpshooters,  but  were  keeping  under  cover  protected 
by  fallen  trees.  Later  in  the  day,  after  the  troops  re 
tired  from  the  front,  the  regiment  marched  back  to  the 
head  of  the  ravine,  where  it  had  passed  the  previous  night, 
glad  to  stack  arms,  throw  off  equipments  and,  after  the 
exhausting  efforts  of  the  past  two  days,  get  some  needed 
rest,  although  at  night  Companies  C,  B  and  part  of  I 
were  ordered  out  to  support  the  2d  Vermont  Battery. 

It  had  been  a  day  of  fearful  carnage,  and  a  painful  and 
gruesome  spectacle  was  presented  to  view  during  the 
evening  in  the  hospitals  established  under  the  trees 
where  the  wounded  were  carried,  having  been  collected 
from  the  battlefield. 

During  the  forenoon  the  assault  on  the  right,  under 
General  Weitzel,  had  been  conducted  with  great  spirit, 
resulting,  however,  in  considerable  slaughter,  and  it  is 
quite  probable  the  works  would  have  been  penetrated 
and  Port  Hudson  taken  on  May  27  if  there  had  been  a 
persistent  and  simultaneous  assault  during  the  early  part 
of  the  day  all  along  the  line.  Owing  to  misfortune  or 
the  fault  of  some  one,  the  troops  in  the  center  and  on  the 
left  under  Augur  and  Sherman  did  not  advance  to  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  143 

assault  till  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  in  the  mean 
time  the  enemy,  occupying  the  interior  and  shorter  line, 
had  been  enabled  to  concentrate  against  Weitzel  and 
resist  his  progress.  The  pressure  against  him  in  a  great 
measure  would  have  been  removed  if  the  Confederates 
had  been  compelled  to  defend  at  the  same  time  their 
entire  line  of  defence  against  a  vigorous  attack  of  infan 
try.  A  subsequent  examination  of  the  fortifications  made 
it  apparent  that  they  were  generally  almost  impregnable; 
still  there  were  some  points  comparatively  weak  along  the 
line  where  it  was  possible  to  have  made  an  entrance  and 
to  have  obtained  a  foothold,  if  the  enemy  had  been  kept 
busy  in  simultaneously  defending  the  line  of  intrench- 
ments,  extending  over  a  distance  of  between  four  and 
five  miles.  Our  loss  in  the  assault  of  May  27  was  said 
to  have  been  293  killed  and  1,549  wounded. 


144  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER   XIII 

DIARY     OF     GEN.     HALBERT     E.     PAINE  —  REPORT     OF     COL. 
I.   G.   W.   STEEDMAN  —  AFTER  THE  ASSAULT    OF  MAY   27 

WHILE  an  account  of  the  events  of  a  battle  coming 
from  an  eyewitness  on  one  side  or  the  other  is 
not  always  reliable  and  is  apt  to  be  partial  and 
exaggerated,  still  such  accounts  are  data  from  which  the 
historian  sifts  the  truth,  and  they  often  present  to  the 
reader  pictures  far  more  vivid  than  any  general  descrip 
tion.  For  instance,  the  colored  regiments  which  engaged 
in  the  assault  on  the  extreme  right  were  said  to  have 
exhibited  great  bravery,  but  the  account  of  their  fighting 
and  courage  and  tenacity  as  described  by  secessionists  and 
unionists  was  quite  different,  although  each  perhaps  in 
tended  to  speak  the  truth.  Among  the  officers  who  took 
part  in  the  assaults  of  May  27  and  June  14,  Gen.  Hal- 
bert  E.  Paine  was  conspicuous  for  his  bravery. 

General  Paine 's  diary: 

"May  26.  Perfected  our  line  of  investment.  The  bri 
gades  of  Generals  Weitzel  and  Dwight  were  temporarily 
united  in  a  division  under  General  Dwight.  This  divi 
sion  and  mine  were  made  the  right  wing  of  the  army  and 
were  under  General  WeitzePs  command  until  the  after 
noon  of  May  27,  when  they  were  attached  to  the  com 
mand  of  General  Grover.  The  general  officers  met  in  the 
evening  at  the  headquarters  of  General  Banks.  A  gen 
eral  assault  was  ordered  for  the  next  morning.  The  posi 
tion  of  the  troops:  on  the  left  was  first,  Sherman's  divi 
sion;  second,  Augur's;  third,  Grover 's;  fourth,  Paine 's; 
fifth,  Dwight's  (WeitzePs).  Two  colored  regiments  re 
ported  to  me.  I  posted  them  on  the  extreme  right.  At 
General  D wight's  request  they  were  transferred  to  him, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  145 

and  they  fought  bravely  in  the  attack  which  followed. 
The  nature  of  the  ground  rendered  it  difficult  for  all  of 
the  divisions  to  make  a  simultaneous  attack  on  the  forti 
fications,  because  the  troops  on  the  right  had  to  drive  a 
large  rebel  force  over  densely  wooded  hills  and  ravines, 
and  then  over  ground  very  precipitous  and  rendered 
almost  impassable  by  felled  timber,  before  we  could  see 
his  works,  whereas  on  the  other  portion  of  the  line  of 
investment  the  fortifications  were  nearer,  and  were  to  a 
great  extent  visible  from  our  position. 

"Weitzel's  two  divisions  prepared  to  form  at  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  I  ordered  my  pioneers  to  fol 
low  the  infantry  rapidly  under  the  supervision  of  Cap 
tain  Duryea,  chief  of  division  artillery,  who  was  directed 
to  bring  up  the  batteries  with  the  utmost  promptness. 
We  had  no  definite  knowledge  of  the  ground  over  which 
we  were  to  fight,  for  the  enemy  occupied  it.  The  forest 
was  so  dense  that  glasses  were  useless.  The  difficulties 
actually  encountered  were  very  great.  Port  Hudson  was 
naturally  very  strong  on  the  northeast. 

"  May  27.  At  first  General  Weitzel  placed  a  part  of 
General  D wight's  command  in  the  first  line  and  mine  in 
the  second,  but  very  soon  after  the  advance  commenced 
that  portion  of  D wight's  line  which  was  in  my  front  for 
some  reason  obliqued  from  my  front,  perhaps  because  a 
section  of  the  1st  Maine  Battery  went  to  the  front  on 
our  left,  and  as  we  observed,  our  advance,  as  far  as  the 
ground  was  concerned,  was  a  trifle  easier  to  the  right. 
A  very  slight  reason  will  deflect  the  body  of  men  advanc 
ing.  The  attack  was  a  huge  bushwhack.  The  rebels 
availed  themselves  of  the  thickets,  trees,  fallen  timber, 
ridges,  ravines,  and  also  of  rifle  pits  and  breastworks  of 
earth  and  logs  constructed  at  convenient  points,  and 
being  concealed  and  protected  themselves  gave  us  a  most 
destructive  rifle  fire,  retreating  rapidly  from  point  to 
point. 

"From  favorable  positions   their  light  artillery  fired 


146  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

upon  us  grape,  shell  and  canister,  and  for  a  few  minutes 
with  comparative  immunity,  on  account  of  our  momen 
tary  uncertainty  as  to  the  position  of  D wight's  troops 
resulting  from  the  darkness  of  the  morning,  the  under 
brush  and  the  smoke;  but  we  pushed  on  until  we  drove 
the  rebels  within  their  works,  capturing  many  prisoners, 
but  suffering  heavily  in  killed  and  wounded. 

"  At  length  we  reached  a  ridge  two  hundred  yards  from 
their  fortifications,  and  the  enemy  met  us  with  a  concen 
trated  artillery  and  infantry  fire.  With  admirable  celer 
ity  the  pioneers  opened  up  the  road  and  Captain  Duryea 
brought  up  the  division  artillery,  and  within  fifteen 
minutes  after  driving  him  in  our  batteries  were  answer 
ing  his  guns  from  two  commanding  points,  which  posi 
tions  were  retained  until  the  surrender.  While  we  were 
waiting  for  Augur's  and  Sherman's  guns,  Grover,  whose 
division  joined  our  left,  took  command  of  the  right  wing. 
Positions  were  gained  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the 
parapet  and  kept  in  those  hazardous  places  by  frequent 
reliefs  until  the  assault  of  June  14. 

"From  the  22d  of  May  until  the  14th  of  June  there 
was  by  day  and  night  a  constant  fight  of  artillery  and 
sharpshooters  on  my  front,  from  Weitzel's  left  to  Augur's 
right.  There  were  repeated  night  attacks  by  my  troops, 
and  sorties  by  the  enemy.  Communications  were  opened 
between  adjacent  divisions,  and  preparations  made  for 
another  assault." 

Col.  I.  G.  W.  Steedman,  of  the  1st  Alabama  Regiment 
(Confederate),  was  in  command  of  the  rebel  left  wing, 
opposed  to  our  right  under  General  Weitzel. 

Colonel  Steedman's  report  of  operations: 

"  Sunday  P.M.,  May  24.  With  a  re-enforcement  of  three 
battalions  I  undertook  to  determine  the  enemy's  strength 
and  drive  him  back.  Drove  back  his  pickets  and  rested. 

"  Monday  noon,  25th.  The  enemy  advanced  twice,  and 
although  I  received  re-enforcements  of  200  fresh  troops  I 
could  not  extend  my  line  to  Sandy  Creek,  and  the  enemy 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  147 

marched  around  our  extreme  left  and  threatened  our 
rear,  so  we  were  obliged  to  fall  back  to  our  original  posi 
tion,  where  we  remained  during  the  night.  These  demon 
strations  showed  that  the  enemy  would  attack  our  lines 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  commissary  depot,  arsenal,  etc. 
This  evidence  being  laid  before  Major-General  Gardner, 
all  the  available  tools,  negroes,  etc.,  were  put  at  the  dis 
posal  of  the  chief  engineer,  and  by  dawn  of  Tuesday  a 
battery  of  four  pieces  was  in  position,  and  by  Wednes 
day,  the  27th,  an  imperfect  line  of  rifle  pits  had  been 
thrown  up,  protecting  the  left  wing. 

"On  Monday,  May  25,  at  the  extreme  left,  the  Federals 
came  in  heavy  force  through  the  plantations  of  Captain 
Chambers,  Mr.  Flower  and  Mrs.  Houstan.  Halting  at 
Sandy  Creek,  they  built  a  pontoon  bridge.  On  Tuesday 
night  it  was  ready,  and  we  then  learned  that  their  ex 
treme  right  was  composed  of  negro  troops.  Our  casual 
ties  on  the  left  wing  thus  far  were  about  forty  in  all. 
The  left  slept  on  their  arms  Tuesday  night,  the  26th. 
The  enemy  were  continually  cutting  timber,  moving 
artillery,  etc.  My  orders  were  to  act  on  the  defensive. 

"  Anticipating  an  attack  on  Wednesday  morning,  the 
27th,  I  relieved  Miles 's  battalion  and  sent  in  four  com 
panies  of  the  1st  Alabama.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Locke's 
command  was  thus  as  strong  as  before.  It  was  about 
half  a  mile  in  advance  of  Commissary  Hill,  and  consisted 
of  about  500  men  and  no  artillery.  At  about  half  past 
five  on  the  morning  of  May  27  a  heavy  artillery  fire 
was  opened  by  the  enemy  upon  the  center  and  right  wing 
of  the  defences  of  Port  Hudson.  During  one  hour  of  this 
severe  firing  there  was  a  perfect  calm  on  the  left  wing; 
the  silence  was  ominous. 

"At  about  half  past  seven,  without  any  warning,  a 
heavy  body  of  the  enemy  in  column  of  regiments  ad 
vanced  boldly  upon  Colonel  Locke's  line.  In  a  few 
moments  the  fight  became  very  severe  and  raged  with 
great  fury.  It  resulted  in  considerable  loss  to  us  and  a 


148  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

frightful  loss  to  the  enemy,  in  consequence  of  the  dense 
column  exposed  to  our  fire,  while  our  men  were  under 
cover  of  logs,  trees,  ravines,  etc.  When  the  enemy 
deployed  his  overwhelming  force,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Locke,  in  obedience  to  his  previous  instructions,  withdrew 
his  command  as  promptly  as  possible  to  the  main  works. 

"  Having  taken  a  position  in  the  battery  of  four  guns 
on  Commissary  Hill,  as  soon  as  I  discovered  with  my  glass 
that  our  own  troops  had  left  the  top  of  the  hill  and  the 
enemy  were  occupying  it,  I  ordered  this  battery  to  open 
fire  on  them.  Colonel  Johnston  opened  about  the  same 
time  with  two  guns  from  his  works. 

"Thus  began  the  general  engagement  and  assault  upon 
our  left  wing.  A  rapid  shelling  succeeded  in  breaking 
their  ranks  and  creating  great  confusion  in  the  head  of 
the  column,  but  this  artillery  fire  did  not  stop  the  advance. 
Their  lines,  though  in  confusion,  were  pushed  boldly  for 
ward  under  cover  of  the  fallen  timber  and  ravines,  until 
within  good  range  of  our  infantry  in  the  rifle  pits.  The 
battle  was  now  general  on  my  line  and  terrific,  continuing 
for  two  hours  with  great  fury.  The  enemy's  sharp 
shooters  crept  up  near  our  batteries  and  killed  and 
wounded  many  of  our  cannoneers,  the  fallen  timber 
(abattis)  giving  complete  protection.  After  the  enemy 
found  us  prepared  in  front,  he  flanked  to  the  right,  coming 
through  the  fields  known  as  the  'Bull  Pen/  but  Colonel 
Lyle,  with  the  23d  Arkansas,  stopped  his  progress  there. 

"Colonel  Johnston,  of  the  15th  Arkansas,  was  heavily 
assailed  at  Fort  Desperate,  but  succeeded  in  driving  the 
masses  back. 

"Upon  the  extreme  left  of  the  left  wing  occurred  one  of 
the  most  important  engagements,  not  only  of  the  siege  of 
Port  Hudson,  but  of  this  war.  It  was  a  battle  between 
white  and  negro  troops,  and  as  far  as  I  am  aware  the 
first  engagement  of  any  magnitude  between  the  white 
man  and  negro.  The  charge  was  made  by  the  1st  and  2d 
'Louisiana  Native  Guards'  (negroes)  and  two  regiments 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  149 

of  troops  upon  the  position  held  by  Col.  W.  B.  Shelby  of 
the  39th  Mississippi.  Shelby  says  in  his  report  that  he 
determined  to  hold,  at  all  hazards,  a  ridge  at  his  front 
running  parallel  to  the  main  road  and  extending  within 
200  yards  of  the  bridge  over  Sandy  Creek.  It  was  a  very 
strong  position  and  easily  held  by  a  small  force.  Against 
this  the  negro  troops  advanced  under  fire,  although  in 
confusion  and  disorder,  to  within  200  yards  of  the  extreme 
left,  when  the  artillery  opened  upon  them  with  canister, 
and  they  were  driven  back  with  great  slaughter  after 
having  fired  but  one  volley.  Several  efforts  were  made 
to  rally  them,  but  they  did  not  again  charge  the  works 
during  the  day.  Not  a  single  man  of  my  command  was 
killed  or  wounded. 

"The  enemy  used  one  battery  against  the  left,  supported 
by  the  negroes,  one  on  the  hill  opposite  the  commissary 
depot,  and  one  or  more  against  Colonel  Johnston  (Fort 
Desperate).  The  latter  was  subsequently  exceedingly 
destructive,  disabling  or  dismounting  most  of  our  artillery 
by  night,  and  with  their  sharpshooters  annoying,  killing 
and  wounding  numbers  of  our  men,  but  two  of  their 
guns  were  dismounted  by  a  rifled  24-pounder  manned 
by  a  detachment  from  Company  A,  1st  Alabama 
Volunteers. 

"The  heat  of  the  sun  on  this  day  was  intense.  In  the 
middle  of  the  forenoon  a  white  flag  went  up  and  the  firing 
ceased.  Upon  inquiry,  I  found  that  it  had  been  presented 
by  the  major  of  some  New  York  regiment  in  front  of  the 
1st  Alabama.  The  officer  with  the  flag  made  the  verbal 
statement  that  General  Banks  desired  a  cessation  of 
hostilities  for  the  purpose  of  burying  his  dead.  This 
verbal  statement  was  sent  to  General  Gardner,  who 
rejected  it  as  informal,  and  ordered  that  hostilities  be 
resumed  in  half  an  hour.  Many  of  the  enemy  during  this 
short  truce  retired  to  positions  of  safety.  I  have  no 
doubt  the  flag  was  used  for  the  unlawful  purpose  of  with 
drawing  the  troops  to  safer  positions." 


150  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Ravines,  many  of  them  deep  and  in  places  precipitous, 
were  characteristic  features  of  the  topography  of  the 
ground  about  Port  Hudson.  Near  the  head  of  one  of 
these  ravines  on  Griffith's  plantation  the  regiment  biv 
ouacked  on  the  night  of  May  26  when  it  arrived  from 
White's  Bayou,  and  here  were  left  our  camp  equipage, 
company  stores  and  cooks  on  the  morning  of  the  27th 
when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  the  front.  To  this 
spot  the  several  companies  returned  after  the  assault, 
and  for  a  time  were  camped  in  and  about  the  ravine 
which  afforded  a  certain  amount  of  protection  from  the 
enemy's  guns.  In  the  immediate  neighborhood  were 
located  the  negro  cabins  of  the  plantation. 

After  our  repulse  of  May  27  no  further  effort  was 
made  to  carry  the  Confederate  works  by  assault  till 
June  14,  and  in  the  interim  the  investment  from  day 
to  day  was  made  more  and  more  complete.  New  works 
were  thrown  up;  additional  batteries  placed  in  position; 
the  lines  drawn  closer;  trees  felled;  roads  constructed; 
bridges  built,  and  general  preparation  made  in  anticipa 
tion  of  the  second  assault.  In  the  mean  time  the  artil 
lery  kept  hammering  away  at  intervals  night  and  day, 
inflicting  more  or  less  injury;  but  the  firing  was  by  no 
means  confined  to  our  side.  There  was  a  constant  inter 
change  of  civilities.  The  booming  of  great  guns,  the 
shells  screaming  through  the  air,  and  the  whizzing  of 
minie  balls  continually  kept  us  on  the  alert. 

Company  H  was  at  Baton  Rouge  doing  provost-guard 
duty,  and  the  other  companies  of  the  regiment  were 
somewhat  separated,  supporting  batteries,  digging  rifle 
pits  and  engaged  in  road  building.  On  the  evening  of 
the  27th,  Companies  B,  C  and  part  of  I  were  ordered  out 
to  support  the  2d  Vermont  Battery.  A  portion  of  the 
regiment  continued  to  support  the  21st  Indiana  Battery, 
and  a  little  later  the  regiment  was  stationed  near  the  line 
of  the  Clinton  and  Port  Hudson  Railroad,  supporting  the 
marine  battery  of  heavy  Dahlgren  guns  in  the  neighbor- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  151 

hood  of  which  we  continued  during  the  remainder  of  the 
siege,  supporting  also  Nims's  battery  and  Mack's  Black 
Horse  Battery.  Here  also  was  one  of  those  deep  ravines 
which  at  times  furnished  a  comparatively  safe  retreat. 

Intense  heat,  heavy  showers,  lack  of  tents  and  insuffi 
cient  rations,  together  with  sleepless  nights,  combined  to 
make  these  few  weeks  the  severest  of  our  service,  and  yet 
it  was  an  experience  which  men  recall  with  the  greatest 
satisfaction.  It  was  a  time  of  constant  excitement  and 
eager  anticipation.  The  comradeship  which  comes  from 
being  engaged  in  a  common  purpose  attended  with  great 
danger  made  life  interesting  and  thrilling.  The  hungry 
soldier,  grumbling  at  his  hard-tack,  alive  with  weevils, 
and  cursing  his  "salt  horse/'  notwithstanding  his  priva 
tions  and  hardships  probably  experienced  as  much  hap 
piness  and  perhaps  more  physical  and  mental  exhilaration 
than  his  well-fed  and  well-housed  neighbor  at  home.  In 
a  measure  the  miserable  and  scanty  supply  of  food  was 
complemented  by  prodigal  Nature  and  a  fertile  soil,  which 
furnished  quantities  of  great  wild  luscious  blackberries 
that  could  be  had  for  the  picking.  Still  the  poor  diet, 
bad  water,  exposure  and  miasma  were  making  greater 
ravages  day  by  day  than  rebel  bullets  and  cannon  balls. 
Constitutions  were  being  undermined,  systems  weakened 
and  the  seeds  of  disease  spread  broadcast  which  resulted 
in  death.  From  the  time  the  men  reached  Baton  Rouge 
till  they  left  the  Mississippi  at  Cairo,  the  funeral  march 
and  last  taps  were  of  almost  daily  occurrence.  The 
number  of  deaths  from  the  time  the  regiment  left  Box- 
ford  till  it  was  mustered  out  in  August,  1863,  aggregated 
eighty-nine. 


152  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER   XIV 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  TROOPS  AT  PORT  HUDSON,  MAY  31, 
1863  —  DIARY  OF  SERGEANT  NELSON  FROM  MAY  27  TO 
JUNE  14. 

ORGANIZATION  of  the  troops  in  the  Department  of 
the    Gulf    (Nineteenth    Army    Corps),    Ma j. -Gen. 
Nathaniel    P.   Banks,    U.S.    Army,    commanding, 
May  31,  1863: 

FIRST   DIVISION. 

Maj.-Gen.  Christopher  C.  Augur. 
First  Brigade. 

Col.  Charles  J.  Paine. 

2d  Louisiana,  Lieut.-Col.  Charles  Everett. 

21st  Maine,  Col.  Elijah  D.  Johnson. 

48th  Massachusetts,  Col.  Eben  F.  Stone. 

49th  Massachusetts,  Col.  William  F.  Bartlett. 

116th  New  York,  Capt.  John  Higgins. 

Second  Brigade. 

Brig.-Gen.  Godfrey  Weitzel.* 

12th  Connecticut,  Lieut.-Col.  Frank  H.  Peck. 

75th  New  York,  Col.  Robert  B.  Merritt. 

114th  New  York,  Col.  Elisha  B.  Smith. 

160th  New  York,  Lieut.-Col.  John  B.  Van  Petten. 

8th  Vermont,  Lieut.-Col.  Charles  Dillingham. 

Third  Brigade. 

Col.  Nathan  A.  M.  Dudley. 

30th  Massachusetts,  Lieut.-Col.  William  W.  Bullock. 

50th  Massachusetts,  Col.  Carlos  P.  Messer. 

161st  New  York,  Col.  Gabriel  T.  Harrower. 

174th  New  York,  Maj.  George  Keating. 

(The  2d  Louisiana  had  been  in  General  Dudley's  brigade.) 

*  Weitzel  was  assigned  May  14  to  command  a  provisional  division  consist 
ing  of  his  own  and  the  1st  (Dwight's)  Brigade,  4th  Division.  Col.  Stephen 
Thomas  succeeded  Weitzel  as  brigade  commander. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  153 

Artillery. 

1st  Indiana  Heavy  (seven  companies),  Col.  John  A.  Keith. 

1st  Maine  Battery,  Lieut.  John  E.  Morton. 

6th  Massachusetts  Battery,  Lieut.  John  F.  Phelps. 

12th  Massachusetts  Battery  (one  section),  Lieut.  Edwin 
M.  Chamberlin. 

18th  New  York  Battery,  Capt.  Albert  G.  Mack. 

1st  United  States,  Battery  A,  Capt.  Edmund  C.  Brain- 
bridge. 

5th  United  States,  Battery  G,  Lieut.  Jacob  B.  Rawles. 

Miscellaneous. 

1st  Louisiana    Engineers,    Corps    d'Afrique,    Col.    Justin 

Hodge. 
1st    Louisiana    Native    Guards,  Lieut.-Col.    Chauncey  J. 

Bassett. 

3d  Louisiana  Native  Guards,  Col.  John  A.  Nelson. 
4th  Louisiana  Native  Guards,  Col.  Charles  W.  Drew. 
1st  Louisiana  Cavalry,  Lieut.-Col.  Augustus  W.  Corliss. 


SECOND    DIVISION. 

Brig.-Gen.  William  Dwight.* 
First  Brigade. 

Col.  Thomas  S.  Clark. 

26th  Connecticut,  Lieut.-Col.  J.  Selden. 

6th  Michigan,  Lieut.-Col.  E.  Bacon. 

loth  New  Hampshire,  Col.  John  W.  Kingman. 

128th  New  York,  Lieut.-Col.  James  Smith. 

102d  New  York,  Lieut.-Col.  Justus  W.  Blanchard. 

Third  Brigade. 

Brig.-Gen.  Frank  S.  Nickerson. 

14th  Maine,  Col.  Thomas  W.  Porter. 

24th  Maine,  Col.  George  M.  Atwood. 

28th  Maine  (detachment),  Col.  Ephrain  W.  Woodman. 

165th  New  York,  Capt.  Felix  Agnes. 

175th  New  York,  Maj.  John  Gray. 

177th  New  York,  Col.  Ira  W.  Ainsworth. 

*  Upon  Brig.-Gen.  Thomas  W.  Sherman  being  wounded,  May  27,  Brig.-Gen. 
George  L.  Andrews,  chief  of  staff,  assumed  command  of  this  division.  Nickerson 
succeeded  him  May  28,  and  Dwight  assumed  command  May  30,  Col.  Lewis 
Benedict  commanding  at  Trudeau's  Landing.  The  2d  Brigade  was  serving  in 
the  defences  of  New  Orleans. 


154  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Artillery. 

Capt.  William  Roy. 

1st  Indiana  Heavy  (one  company),  Capt.  William  Roy. 

21st  New  York  Battery,  Capt.  James  Barnes. 

1st  Vermont  Battery,  Capt.  George  T.  Hebard. 


THIRD    DIVISION. 

Brig.-Gen.  Halbert  E.  Paine.* 
First  Brigade. t 

Col.  Timothy  Ingraham. 
4th  Massachusetts,  Col.  Henry  Walker. 
16th  New  Hampshire,  Col.  James  Pike. 
110th  New  York,  Col.  Clinton  H.  Sage. 

Second  Brigade. 

Col.  Hawkes  Fearing,  Jr. 

8th  New  Hampshire,  Capt.  William  M.  Barrett. 
133d  New  York,  Col.  Leonard  D.  H.  Currie. 
173d  New  York,  Capt.  George  W.  Rogers. 
4th  Wisconsin,  Col.  Sidney  A.  Bean. 

Third  Brigade. 

Col.  Oliver  P.  Gooding. 

31st  Massachusetts  (seven  companies),  Lieut.-Col.  W.  S.  B. 

Hopkins. 

38th  Massachusetts,  Maj.  James  P.  Richardson. 
53d  Massachusetts,  Col.  John  W.  Kimball. 
156th  New  York,  Lieut.-Col.  Jacob  Sharp. 

Artillery. 

Capt.  Richard  O.  Duryea. 

4th  Massachusetts  Battery,  Lieut.  Fred  W.  Reinhard. 
1st  United  States,  Battery  F,  Capt.  Richard  C.  Duryea. 
2d  Vermont  Battery,  Capt.  Pythagoras  E.  Holcomb. 


*  Assigned  to  command  May  2.  Brig.-Gen.  Weitzel  was  assigned  to  com 
mand  May  13,  but  order  was  revoked  next  day.  Paine  commanding  since 
May  14. 

tThe  28th  Connecticut,  Col.  Samuel  P.  Ferris,  assigned  to  this  brigade 
June  2.  The  16th  New  Hampshire  detached,  guarding  ammunition  depot. 
The  162d  New  York  assigned  May  31  to  1st  Brigade.  2d  Division. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  155 

FOURTH    DIVISION. 

Brig.-Gen.  Cuvier  Grover. 

First  Brigade. 

Col.  Joseph  S.  Morgan. 

1st  Louisiana,  Col.  Richard  E.  Holcomb. 

22d  Maine,  Col.  Simon  G.  Jerard. 

90th  New  York,  Maj.  Nelson  Shaurman. 

91st  New  York,  Col.  Jacob  Van  Zandt. 

131st  New  York,  Lieut.-Col.  Nicholas  W.  Day. 


Second  Brigade. 

Col.  William  K.  Kimball. 

24th  Connecticut,  Col.  Samuel  M.  Mansfield. 

12th  Maine,  Lieut.-Col.  Edward  Ilsley. 

41st  Massachusetts,  Lieut.-Col.  Lorenzo  D.  Sargent. 

52d  Massachusetts,  Col.  Halbert  S.  Greenleaf. 


Third  Brigade. 

Col.  Henry  W.  Birge. 

13th  Connecticut,  Capt.  Appolos  Comstock. 
25th  Connecticut,  Lieut.-Col.  Mason  C.  Weld. 
26th  Maine,  Col.  Nathaniel  H.  Hubbard. 
159th  New  York,  Lieut.-Col.  Charles  A.  Burt. 


Artillery. 

Capt.  Henry  W.  Closson. 

2d  Massachusetts  Battery,  Capt.  Ormand  F.  Nims. 
1st  United  States,  Battery  L,  Capt.  Henry  W.  Closson. 
2d  United  States,  Battery  C,  Lieut.  Theodore  Bradley. 


Cavalry. 

14th  New  York  (one  company)  Cavalry,   Col.  Benjamin 

H.  Grierson. 

6th  Illinois,  Lieut.-Col.  Reuben  Loomis. 
7th  Illinois,  Col.  Edward  Prince. 
1st  Louisiana  (detachment). 
2d  Massachusetts  Battalion. 
14th  New  York  (detachment). 


156  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

CORPS  D'AFRIQUE.* 
Brig.-Gen.  Daniel  Ullmann. 

6th  Infantry. 
7th  Infantry. 
8th  Infantry. 
9th  Infantry. 
10th  Infantry. 

The  gunboats  and  the  war  vessels  were  the  Essex  (iron 
clad),  Kineo,  Richmond,  Genesee,  Monongahela,  Hartford, 
Albatross,  Mississippi  (lost),  picket  boat  No.  2,  gunboat 
No.  13,  gunboat  No.  17,  and  fifteen  mortar  boats. 
Diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson  from  May  27  to  June  14: 
"May  28.  There  has  been  almost  a  total  cessation  of 
hostilities  to-day;  only  an  occasional  gun;  both  sides 
appear  to  be  repairing  damages,  ready  for  another  trial. 
The  men  are  scattered  about  in  squads,  talking  of  yester 
day's  exploits,  hairbreadth  escapes,  who  got  hit,  and 
what  kind  of  places  they  got  into  for  safety.  Just  before 
going  into  action  yesterday  Stickney,  I  think  of  Company 
F,  received  a  wound  on  his  foot  by  a  glance  ball;  we  took 
upon  him  as  a  fortunate  boy;  it  will  keep  him  from  any 
more  hard  work  for  the  term,  and  he  can  show  a  wound 
which  will  be  a  mark  to  be  proud  of  in  days  to  come. 
After  dark  the  regiment  was  formed,  and  we  all  expected 
a  night  attack  was  to  be  made.  After  a  short  tramp 
through  woods  and  over  ravines,  which  we  crossed  on 
logs  while  the  utmost  secrecy  and  stillness  were  enjoined 
on  us,  we  were  brought  up  at  the  foot  of  a  bluff  and 
halted.  In  the  darkness  we  could  see  the  rebel  earth 
works  which  we  had  to  carry.  No  one  was  allowed  to 
speak  above  a  whisper;  the  word  of  command  was  passed 
from  one  to  another  in  the  lowest  tones  and  by  signs,  as 
the  least  noise  would  divulge  our  whereabouts  and  de 
signs.  Then  came  orders  to  rest  until  morning.  When 
the  moon  rose  the  earthworks  vanished  into  harmless 

*  The  officers  of  these  regiments  were  mustered  into  service  at  New  York  City 
in  February  and  March,  1863,  but  the  regiments  were  not  fully  organized  until 
August  and  September  of  that  year. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  157 

rifle  pits,  and  the  enemy  was  some  way  over  the  hills. 
At  daylight  the  companies  of  the  regiment  were  posted 
in  different  localities  near  each  other  to  protect  and 
support  batteries  and  themselves. 

"Our  headquarters  are  at  a  tremendous  big  prostrate 
tree,  just  under  the  lee  of  the  hill,  from  the  top  of 
which  the  earthworks  around  a  considerable  part  of 
Port  Hudson,  tents,  rebel  flags,  and  much  of  the  interior 
economy  of  that  hated  place  are  plainly  visible.  Between 
the  hill  and  the  fortifications  the  woods  have  been  cleared, 
and  on  this  broken  and  undulating  ground  the  pickets 
occupy  themselves  during  the  day.  Every  stump  has 
been  fortified,  and  behind  it  one  or  two  picket  guards  lie 
and  load  and  fire  from  daylight  until  dark.  Over  in  the 
'  works '  behind  logs  and  sand  bags,  and  from  the  tops  of 
trees,  the  rebel  sharpshooters  send  their  little  '  souvenirs ' 
back  with  their  compliments.  At  the  same  time  the  con 
tinuous  roar  of  the  heavy  cannon  is  kept  up  night  and 
day. 

"We  have  appropriated  to  our  comfort  the  contents 
of  several  cotton  bales,  and  on  these  we  spread  our 
blankets  and  sleep  with  the  innocence  of  childhood.  To 
the  right  of  us  is  the  Union  battery,  on  the  left  a  rebel 
battery;  they  amuse  themselves  during  the  twenty-four 
hours  trying  to  damage  each  other;  we  are  getting  so 
accustomed  to  the  noise  that  we  mind  nothing  about 
them.  The  hill  protects  us,  and  we  say  with  General 
Taylor,  'give  them  Hell-elujah.' 

"May  30  to  June  7.  Each  day  for  the  last  week  has 
been  like  every  other.  Under  the  cover  of  darkness, 
companies  for  picket  duty  relieve  those  who  are  on  duty 
at  the  present  time ;  these  are  in  turn  relieved  by 
others,  after  their  twenty-four  hours'  service;  so  the 
broken  ground  between  the  wood  in  the  rear  of  the  forti 
fications  and  the  fortification  itself  is  pretty  well  repre 
sented  by  Federal  soldiers. 

"  Batteries  are  planted  at  different  and  all  advantageous 


158  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

spots.  We  hear  the  council  of  war  has  decided  that  it  is 
not  practical  to  take  the  place  by  assault,  but '  spades  are 
trumps/  and  by  regular  approaches  the  place  must  sur 
render  after  General  Gardner  and  his  bosom  friends  see 
the  folly  of  longer  holding  out.  Every  battery  is  sup 
ported  by  several  companies  of  infantry,  and  thus  their 
safety  is  insured. 

"The  50th  Regiment  is  engaged  in  this  not  very  excit 
ing  life.  Our  boys  grumbled  a  great  deal  when  the  guns 
were  delivered  to  them  in  Boxford.  They  said,  'Give  us 
rifles  or  give  us  corn  brooms,  but  with  these  condemned, 
consumed  old  smooth  bores,  what  part  in  closing  up 
the  Rebellion  shall  we  have? ' 

"  Lieu  tenant  Warren  said  to  me  one  day,  'Before  they 
get  back  the  boys  may  have  cause  to  thank  their  stars 
that  government  gave  them  such  guns/  and  now  I  see 
the  force  of  that  remark.  Regiments  armed  with  most 
improved  guns  are  detailed  for  picket  duty,  while  we 
are  bivouacking  in  the  woods  with  not  much  to  do,  unless 
the  enemy  makes  an  attack  upon  our  batteries,  and  the 
chance  of  their  doing  this  is  about  as  probable  as  their 
going  up  in  a  balloon.  Our  chances  of  getting  hit  are 
only  from  bullets  that  strike  a  tree,  ricochet  and  go  any 
where.  Sometimes  they  are  altogether  familiar.  Stand 
ing  in  the  bayou  talking  to  Pierce  one  night  as  we  were 
taking  our  accustomed  ablution,  a  minie  ball  came  down 
and  went  spat  into  the  sand  at  our  feet.  'A  miss  is  as 
good  as  a  mile/  but  I  think  one  of  us  came  very  near 
being  a  subject  for  an  obituary. 

"  We  are  about  six  hundred  yards  from  the  earthworks, 
and  one  of  the  best  points  of  observation  is  on  the  heights 
just  above  our  camping  ground.  A  good  many  curious 
ones  go  up  to  gratify  their  curiosity,  and  a  good  many 
come  back  with  a  bullet  wound.  I  tried  it  and  got  back 
with  a  whole  skin,  but  concluded  that  the  risk  was  too 
great  to  indulge  in  often.  Behind  gigantic  trees  each 
one  makes  his  own  coffee;  hard-tack  is  sent  us  by  the  box, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  159 

and  this  is  our  living.  To  us  who  at  home  are  accustomed 
to  sit  in  the  lap  of  luxury  and  indulge  in  all  the  delicacies 
of  the  season,  it  seems  like  mean  fare,  but  it  is  as  good  as 
our  neighbors',  and  once  in  a  while  some  one  will  get  near 
enough  the  verge  of  dissipation  to  squander  his  bounty 
by  buying  a  sheet  of  gingerbread  of  the  sutler,  and  this  is 
divided  into  small  hunks  and  goes  around,  then  we  talk 
of  Christmas  cheer,  Thanksgiving  dinner  and  what  we 
will  do  when  we  get  home.  Some  days  the  wagons  are 
behind  with  supplies  and  we  make  our  meal  of  coffee, 
without.  I  can  hardly  conceive  of  the  army  existing 
without  coffee.  Everybody  carries  a  supply  of  it  in  his 
haversack,  and  when  nothing  else  is  to  be  done  a  fire  is 
started  and  numerous  coffee  dippers  are  steaming  over 
it.  This  is  the  cup  that  cheers,  but  does  not  inebriate, 
the  staff  of  life  —  victuals  and  drink. 

"  Although  the  road  down  to  Baton  Rouge  is  considered 
open  and  under  Federal  control,  nevertheless  the  trip  is 
surrounded  with  many  obstacles  and  bands  of  guerrillas 
infest  the  woods  and  are  ready  to  waylay  a  solitary  horse 
man,  and  take  his  equipments,  horse  and  all,  consequently 
the  baggage  trains  go  well  protected  but  are  often  delayed. 
I  have  seen  young  men  belonging  to  the  best  families  in 
Essex  County,  who  at  home  lived  in  swell-front  houses, 
so  driven  to  hunger  as  to  resort  to  an  old  bread  box  and 
pick  out  the  crumbs  that  had  lain  for  days  subjected  to 
an  acquaintance  with  reptiles  and  vermin  peculiar  to 
these  woods,  and  they  are  numerous  and  various.  Snakes 
unknown  to  us  only  in  history,  lizards,  tame  and  harmless, 
but  not  at  all  interesting,  crawl  around  and  over  us, 
familiar  as  chickens. 

"  Every  day  something  new  is  told  of  the  narrow  escape 
we  had  —  most  miraculous  it  appears — in  last  week's 
assault.  The  old  soldiers  who  have  been  out  here  these 
two  years,  and  have  fought  all  the  way  from  Fort  St. 
Philip  to  Vicksburg  and  back  to  New  Orleans,  say  they 
have  seen  nothing  like  it  before.  How  we  came  out  of  it 


160  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

as  we  did  I  can  hardly  conceive.  The  major  told  Captain 
Barnes  the  other  day,  that  as  we  were  going  into  the  fight 
his  most  fervent  prayer  was  that  his  detachment  of  the 
50th  might  come  out  safe,  and  they  did;  and  I  am  sure 
that  no  one  showed  more  courage  and  self-forgetfulness 
than  this  same  plucky  major  of  ours.  As  a  general  rule 
soldiers  are  not  given  to  much  praying  —  not  in  public 
places,  and  I  have  read  of  one  old  fighter  who  claimed 
special  immunity  of  Providence  upon  a  particular  occasion 
as  he  troubled  Him  so  seldom.  Of  the  efficacy  of  prayer 
and  its  power  to  change  the  great  program  of  nature,  I 
think  this  climate  and  these  surroundings  are  not  calcu 
lated  to  encourage  discussions. 

"The  supply  train  had  brought  up  a  few  letters  from 
home  and  news  from  the  invalids  at  Baton  Rouge.  We 
learn  that  Amos  Spofford,  Messrs.  Hunkins  and  Hyde 
have  answered  their  last  roll-call;  their  sickness  has  been 
so  long  continued  that  the  result  was  not  unexpected. 

"Sunday,  7th.  Moved  camp  and  are  supporting  a 
marine  battery.  The  guns,  of  the  heaviest  caliber  in  the 
navy,  were  taken  from  the  war  vessels  down  the  river  and 
with  incredible  labor  and  trouble  were  landed  behind 
strong  earthworks,  and  are  now  battering  away  at  the 
fortifications  of  Port  Hudson.  We  have  to  accommodate 
ourselves  to  the  occasion  and  the  exigencies  of  the  times. 
In  making  camps  that  are  liable  to  be  left  in  a  few  days, 
just  enough  is  done  to  make  them  last  for  the  present 
moment.  As  the  colonel  was  passing  ours,  he  observed 
that  it  looked  the  most  elegant  and  commodious  of  any 
one  he  had  seen,  and  proposed  to  engage  apartments, 
which  request  was  cheerfully  granted.  Tom  is  one  of 
'ours'  in  this  speculation.  Now,  Tom  has  been  pro 
moted  to  the  pioneer  corps  and  his  status  is  denoted  by 
what  he  calls  o-'chivers'  on  his  arm,  and  if  there  is  a 
better  worker  in  the  great  American  army  than  Tom,  I 
have  yet  to  make  his  acquaintance.  So  Tom  enlarged 
the  boundaries  of  our  dwelling,  the  colonel  furnished  a 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  161 

tent-fly,  and  our  hotel  is  on  front  street-corner  lot.  The 
colonel  and  major,  captain  and  staff,  the  sergeant  major, 
Wildes  and  one  or  two  others  make  up  our  family. 

"When  men  of  rank  call  on  the  colonel  to  discuss 
matters,  we  small  fry  step  out  at  the  back  door  or  do 
something  menial  to  denote  our  inferiority,  for  be  it 
known  there  is  considerable  more  familiarity  existing 
betwixt  and  between  our  field  officers  and  members  of 
Company  K  than  is  generally  found  in  regiments.  When 
much  dignity  is  assumed,  all  of  us  who  draw  rations  from 
the  quartermaster  bring  it  into  the  common  table.  The 
officers  purchase  a  few  luxuries,  such  as  Hostetter's 
bitters,  which  cure  all  the  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to, 
molasses  gingerbread,  that  makes  the  heart  glad,  and 
upon  the  whole  I  think  we  might  be  much  worse  off. 
While  clearing  away  the  hash  of  our  domicile  we  had  a 
dispute  with  a  copperhead  snake  who  claimed  proprietor 
ship  by  right  of  squatter  sovereignty,  but  the  march  of 
civilization  was  too  much  for  him  —  he  took  to  the  bush. 
Although  this  old  serpent  dislikes  the  approach  of  man, 
nevertheless  one  can  hardly  help  thinking  about  him 
when  lying  on  the  ground,  once  his  happy  home,  for 
peradventure  this  subtle  one  might  like  once  more  to 
revisit  these  glades  and,  finding  the  condition  of  things, 
take  offence;  but  as  yet  no  one  has  been  damaged  by 
him. 

"To  June  12.  Still  giving  our  aid  to  the  marine  bat 
tery.  This  battery  consists  of  five  siege  guns,  the  indi 
vidual  weight  of  each  is  five  tons;  a  single  shell  kicks  the 
beam  at  two  hundred  pounds,  so  the  explosion  is  like 
the  general  breaking  up  of  things  terrestrial,  and  when  the 
unbidden  guest  arrives  at  its  destined  point  the  effect 
must  be  direful.  Standing  some  distance  in  the  rear  of 
this  battery,  we  can  see  the  shell  just  after  it  leaves  the 
muzzle  of  the  gun,  and  watching  its  instant  progress  we 
can  see  when  it  strikes  the  earthworks  and  something  of 
its  effects.  Our  duty  in  this  connection  is  through  the 


162  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

day  to  be  within  call  of  our  guard.  The  nights  are  spent 
this  wise :  one  night  our  regiment  can  sleep  on  the  ground 
near  the  rifle  pits,  while  some  other  regiment  occupies  the 
pits;  the  following  night  we  take  the  pit,  they  take  the 
bank.  These  monstrous  guns  continue  their  murderous 
work  incessantly.  Once  in  ten  minutes  a  gun  sends  its 
messenger  of  death;  then  another  does  its  duty;  so  day 
after  day  the  work  goes  on.  The  tremendous  weight  of 
the  gun  requires  a  long  interval  between  each  loading  to 
give  time  for  cooling  the  piece.  During  the  night, 
through  this  crash,  when  it  seems  appropriate  to  repeat 
some  of  Dr.  Watts's  hymns  of  the  milder  type  or  perhaps 
'swear  a  prayer  or  two/  we  pull  our  blankets  closer 
around  us  and  within  five  rods  of  these  guns  sleep  the 
long,  long  night  away.  Thus  day  follows  day. 

"The  heat  is  getting  to  be  excessive,  so  very  much  so 
that  only  under  pressing  circumstances  is  any  duty  re 
quired  of  us  except  during  the  night,  then  'there  is  sound 
of  revelry.'  A  few  nights  ago  the  regiment  were  out  roll 
ing  cotton  bales  into  place;  we  had  stacked  our  guns  and 
were  busy  at  work;  some  blacks  who  were  digging  in  the 
trenches  were  taken  with  a  panic,  and  throwing  their 
spades  rushed  for  the  rear,  seeing  a  rebel  in  every  stump, 
running  over  us,  and  we,  supposing  the  enemy  were  right 
upon  us,  fell  back  to  our  gun  stacks  and  made  ready  to 
receive  them  with  open  arms;  but  none  came,  for  the  good 
reason  that  none  were  there.  These  colored  soldiers  are 
said  to  fight  nobly;  we  know  that  they  are  great  on  back 
ward  advances;  they  will  beat  the  world  on  making 
charges  to  the  rear. 

"On  the  outskirts  of  the  town  of  Port  Hudson,  about 
a  mile  from  the  earthworks,  there  is  a  cotton-gin  mill  in 
the  center  of  what  was  before  the  war  a  large  cotton  plan 
tation.  It  stands  on  the  edge  of  a  cotton  field,  contain 
ing  twelve  hundred  acres.  Standing  in  the  upper  story 
of  this  mill,  one  can  see  the  enormous  tract  of  growing 
corn  through  its  entirety.  It  was  planted  by  its  owners 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  163 

last  spring  for  their  own  advantage,  but  the  spoiler  came, 
and  it  is  now  being  cut  for  the  cavalry  and  artillery 
horses;  teams  are  drawing  it  away  morning  and  night,  to 
be  delivered  at  its  various  places  along  the  line.  It  has 
attained  to  a  growth  of  ten  feet  and  upward,  and  if  it 
could  live  its  natural  life  it  would  bid  fair  to  be  con 
siderably  more  than  half  a  crop. 

"The  cotton  mill  is  the  headquarters  of  the  50th  Regi 
ment.  When  one  becomes  unfit  for  duty,  what  is  called 
'  kinder  played  out/  he  goes  back  to  the  cotton-gin  to 
rest  and  invigorate.  The  few  straggling  negroes  that 
hang  around  here  with  some  of  the  harum-scarum  of  the 
regiment  keep  up  a  perpetual  circus,  so  one  gets  well  in 
spite  of  himself.  This  mill  is  in  perfect  condition,  a  large 
quantity  of  unginned  cotton  is  stored  in  the  upper  loft. 
The  gin  is  a  northern  invention  with  the  maker's  name 
-  Jerry  Morse  —  'spelt  by  the  unlettered  muse/  painted 
on  its  forefront.  The  whole  process  is  before  us,  from 
the  growing  cotton  to  the  raw  material  to  cotton  in 
bales.  The  old  sweep  and  press  are  just  in  the  condition 
as  before  the  northern  barbarians  appeared. 

"  The  cooks  of  the  regiment  are  located  in  a  very  roman 
tic  spot,  down  in  a  ravine  where  floats  the  water  in  the 
bayou.  The  stores  come  along  quite  regularly,  and  it 
looks  like  pleasant  times. 

"The  Port  Hudson  and  Clinton  Railroad  runs  along  in 
our  immediate  vicinity;  an  old  hand-car  has  been  found 
and  the  young  men  of  the  army  keep  it  rolling  along  and 
call  it  fun. 

"Saturday,  13th.  To-day  the  orders  were  that  a  general 
bombardment  would  take  place  for  one  hour  about  noon. 
The  morning  was  consumed  in  making  arrangements  and 
getting  into  place.  The  infantry  regiments,  whose  occu 
pation  was  gone  for  the  nonce,  took  the  highest  seats 
attainable  and  were  admiring  spectators.  When  the 
light  batteries  with  their  caissons,  each  drawn  by  four 
and  six  horses,  came  out  on  to  the  plain  and  received 


164  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

their  orders,  then  moved  with  the  greatest  speed  away, 
followed  immediately  by  others,  the  loud  word  of  com 
mand,  the  bugle  call,  the  tramp  of  horses,  the  rumbling 
and  rattling  of  artillery  wheels,  the  clouds  of  dust  rolling 
up  and  away,  and  the  anticipation  of  the  coming  cannon 
ading  and  hopes  for  decisive  and  favorable  results,  raised 
our  spirits  to  a  high  pitch  of  enthusiasm,  and  in  abler 
hands  would  make  a  chapter  worthy  of  a  place  in  a  dime 
novel. 

"Soon  the  first  gun  was  fired,  and  immediately  com 
menced  a  general  cannonading  the  entire  length  of  the 
line,  which  from  one  point  on  the  river  bank  around  to 
the  other  is  about  seven  miles;  the  general  shape  is  some 
thing  like  a  half  circle.  Imagine  hundreds  of  guns  of 
the  heaviest  metal  in  the  service,  loading  and  firing  with 
the  utmost  rapidity  possible;  think  of  the  infernal  com 
motion  of  this  continuous  thundering,  explosion  follow 
ing  explosion  faster  than  one  can  count,  and  this  for  one 
hour.  After  a  few  minutes  the  smoke  enveloped  every 
thing;  nothing  could  be  seen.  Once  in  a  while  for  a 
moment  a  breath  of  air  would  lift  the  smoke,  and  all 
that  could  be  seen  was  a  huge  cloud  of  dust  hanging  like 
a  huge  veil  over  the  entire  works.  Our  cannoneers  had 
got  their  proper  bearings,  and  their  orders  were  simply 
to  'load  and  fire/  After  the  hour  advertised  had  ex 
pired,  certain  high  officials  were  sent  under  a  flag  of  truce 
into  the  enemy's  lines  to  see  what  conclusion  had  been 
arrived  at.  Toward  night  they  came  back  with  the 
short  and  pithy  answer,  'If  you  want  Port  Hudson  you 
had  better  come  and  take  it.'  As  this  kind  of  logic  obli 
gated  something  more  than  breath,  we  found  ourselves 
in  about  the  same  latitude  as  we  were  in  the  morning. 

"As  this  'tear'  is  expected  to  be  followed  by  a  calm, 
a  good  night's  rest  was  reckoned  on.  Pleasantly  and 
happily  we  wrapped  our  blankets  about  us,  and  then 
General  Dudley's  orderly  reined  up  his  fiery  steed  with 
orders  for  Major  Hodges  to  report,  with  what  companies 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  165 

of  the  50th  were  in  camp,  to  the  headquarters  of  General 
D wight,  several  miles  away  to  the  left.  As  this  was  a 
matter  that  admitted  of  no  delay,  our  harnesses  were 
buckled  on  and  six  companies  of  us  were  soon  feeling  our 
way  in  the  dark  woods  to  some  undiscovered  country. 

"  After  a  march  of  about  three  miles,  we  reported  to 
General  Dwight  for  orders.  On  coming  to  a  halt,  we 
found  the  48th  Massachusetts  waiting  for  orders  like  our 
selves.  They  immediately  left,  and  when  the  major 
returned  with  orders  to  follow  the  48th,  they  had  got  so 
far  ahead  of  us  that  on  coming  to  a  division  in  the  road 
no  sign  was  left  which  way  to  follow,  so  we  were  brought 
to  a  standstill.  Here  was  a  hospital,  formerly  a  cotton- 
gin.  One  unfortunate  fellow  was  laid  out  on  the  table 
undergoing  some  surgical  operation,  while  around  were 
invalids  and  convalescents  sleeping  or  awake.  The  major 
ordered  me  to  go  back  to  Dwight's  and  ask  for  a  guide, 
so  being  of  an  accommodating  disposition  and  standing  in 
mortal  fear  of  my  superiors,  I  wandered  back  as  far  as 
the  crossroads  and  there  found  myself  lost. 

'  'T  was  at  the  dead  hour  of  midnight,' 

twenty-five  hundred  miles  away  from  the  cot  where  I 
was  born,  and  not  a  familiar  tree  or  shrub  in  sight. 
I  thought  then  to  inquire  of  the  first  man  that  passed 
that  way  —  when  he  came.  Traveling  on,  I  saw  the 
light  of  a  camp-fire,  and  made  for  it.  Around  it  was  a 
group  of  negroes  who  did  n't  know  General  Dwight  from 
General  Dow.  Wandering  from  one  camp-fire  to  another, 
at  each  of  which  the  same  questions  were  asked  and  like 
answers  returned,  a  more  perfect  set  of  know-nothings 
I  never  got  among.  I  thought  of  a  certain  time  when 
a  dark-lantern  society  met  in  Tammany;  and  one  O. 
Thompson  used  to  say,  'You  see  a  man  there  writing 
his  name,  but  you  don't  know  what  he  is  doing.' 

"  Moving  again,  I  was  suddenly  brought  up  by  a  deep- 
toned  voice  ordering  me  to  halt  or  prepare  to  die.  As- 


166  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

suming  a  deathly  whisper,  I  said,  'My  military  friend, 
conduct  me  to  General  Dwight's  tent  and  leave  me.' 
After  a  little  delay  I  was  ushered  into  the  presence  of 
this  mighty  man  who  was  standing  among  a  group  of 
officers,  in  all  the  pride  and  panoply  of  glorious  war. 
Estimating  my  own  uniform  to  be  worth  one  dollar  and 
twenty-five  cents,  I  judge  each  man  must  have  had  a 
respectable  farm  spread  out  on  his  body.  I  am  ready  to 
believe  that  they  are  extravagant  of  their  store  clothes, 
or  they  don't  intend  to  get  begrimed  with  powder  to 
morrow.  Intimating  a  desire  to  know  the  cause  of  my 
nocturnal  visit,  I  stated  to  General  Dwight  who  I  was, 
who  sent  me,  and  what  I  wanted.  He  acknowledged  a 
forgetfulness,  which  apology  of  course  I  accepted,  and 
ordered  that  I  be  provided  with  a  guide.  Then  return 
ing,  I  followed  my  military  friend  out  among  the  tents. 

"  Thro  wing  open  one,  he  caught  hold  of  a  cavalry  boot 
and  pulled  it  out,  and  with  it  came  a  man  who,  after  get 
ting  his  eyes  open,  sweetly  inquired  what  the—  -was 
wanted.  In  a  birdlike  way  he  was  told  to  saddle  his 
horse  and  go  with  me.  I  have  heard  of  folks  who  swore 
like  troopers,  and  I  think  this  man  was  the  identical 
trooper.  All  the  way  back  he  kept  it  up.  I  asked  him 
if  he  felt  very  bad  and  had  it  often,  and  then  he  swore 
again.  I  recommended  him  to  take  something,  sorry  I 
had  n't  some  whiskey  for  him  —  good  whiskey,  too.  He 
was  the  most  unreasonable  man  I  ever  met.  I  gave  him 
a  tract,  and  soon  we  arrived  at  our  place  at  the  head  of 
the  regiment  and  then  again  commenced  the  march. 

"A  large  part  of  the  way  was  over  an  unfrequented 
road  through  a  dense  wood.  The  tree  tops  interlocked 
each  other  over  our  heads  and  the  darkness  was  thick 
enough  to  cut  with  a  knife.  The  major  rode  by  the  side 
of  the  guide;  Captain  Barnes  held  on  to  the  major's 
stirrup,  then  in  single  file,  pinned  to  each  other's  coat-tails, 
we  followed  along;  sometimes  down  in  the  wheel  rut,  then 
in  a  mud  hole,  then  up  on  the  ridge.  Once  or  twice  we 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  167 

came  to  a  clearing  where  was  one  of  the  inland  plantations 
like  Hugh  Legree's  in  'Uncle  Tom's  Cabin.'  Occasion 
ally  we  would  find  a  little  group  of  men  sitting  at  the  foot 
of  a  tree.  Who  are  you?  Oth  men,  Massachusetts, 
I  am  sorry  to  say.  The  whole  story  is  they  are  cursed 
cowards,  and  under  the  cover  of  darkness  get  lost  and 
don't  find  their  way  out  till  after  to-morrow's  fight  is  over. 

"After  an  hour's  march  we  came  out  on  open  ground 
near  the  river.  Down  below  us,  Porter's  mortar  fleet  is 
anchored  and  the  mortars  are  at  work.  Here  was  one  of 
the  finest  pyrotechnical  displays  possible  to  conceive  of. 
The  steady  orthodox  bom-bom  of  the  mortars  is  entirely 
different  from  the  sharp  crack  of  the  rifled  cannon  or  the 
thunder  tone  of  the  heavy  siege  guns.  They  steadily 
throw  shell  after  shell,  rising  with  a  graceful  curve  over 
our  heads  hundreds  of  feet  in  the  air,  then  after  arriving 
at  their  extreme  height,  gently  falling  faster  and  faster 
as  they  near  the  earth,  striking  and  bursting,  waking  the 
echoes  among  the  woods  and  on  the  waters. 

"  Continuing  the  march  we  soon  came  upon  detach 
ments  of  the  sleeping  army.  Filing  in  among  them  about 
one  o'clock  we  came  to  a  halt,  stacked  arms  and  slept. 
The  major  left  in  such  haste  that  he  found  himself  entirely 
destitute  of  a  blanket.  Captain  Barnes  and  myself  had 
one  each,  and  spreading  one  on  the  ground  took  the 
major  between  us  —  and  then  I  was  asleep. 

"I  had  just  commenced  a  very  pleasant  dream  when 
the  rattle  of  a  drum  and  the  cannonading  told  us  to  be 
stirring.  It  was  just  at  daybreak.  Our  place  of  bivouac 
appeared  to  be  a  large  cane  field.  In  all  directions  regi 
ments  were  forming  in  line.  Batteries  were  coming  into 
place,  unlimbering  and  commencing  work.  Presently 
the  storm  party  moved  out  and  started  to  make  the 
attack.  Many  of  them  carried  bags  of  cotton  and  bundles 
of  fagots  to  fill  the  ditches,  the  forlorn  hope  passed  in, 
and  the  ambulance  corps  with  its  stretchers  —  this  looks 
like  as  cool  a  piece  of  business  as  anything  I  have  seen. 


168  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

The  reflection  is  not  pleasant.  Somebody  is  to  be  brought 
out  on  them  soon,  mangled  and  bloody.  After  a  little 
delay  all  began  to  move.  Marching  along  we  soon 
found  our  place,  and  found  it  an  uncommon  warm  one  in 
the  vicinity  of  a  battery.  This  whole  reserve  force,  con 
sisting  of  many  regiments,  was  halted  and  then  the  firing 
increased.  We  laid  down  between  the  rows  in  the  cane 
field  and  hugged  the  ground  with  a  loving  embrace.  One 
gun  in  the  fortifications  had  got  the  range  of  this  battery, 
and  the  shells  burst  in  a  frightfully  careless  way  over  and 
around  us. 

"  A  more  beautiful  Sunday  morning,  with  clearer  skies, 
the  sun  never  shone  upon  than  this  same  June  14,  but 
this  kind  of  a  thing  excludes  all  devotional  thoughts  or 
exercises.  The  question  is,  how  long  is  this  thing  going 
to  continue? 

"With  impatience  we  wait  for  the  word  to  move. 
Anything  but  this  waiting  to  be  shot.  Crash  goes  a  shell 
through  the  tree  top  just  over  our  heads.  A  large  limb 
is  cut  off  and  falls  almost  upon  us.  Pieces  of  shell  buzz 
through  the  air  and  go,  some  to  the  rear,  some  strike 
the  ground  so  near  that  the  cold  chills  creep  over  us." 

Diary  of  Corpl.  Henry  H.  Johnson,  Company  F: 

"Was  relieved  from  guard  at  the  bayou  about  five 
o'clock  P.M.  At  dark  ordered  into  the  rifle  pits  of  the 
marine  battery  and  stayed  there  about  an  hour,  when  we 
were  ordered  to  return  to  our  quarters  and  pack  every 
thing  immediately.  We  then  marched  to  the  left  about 
half  a  mile,  stacked  arms  and  went  to  work  rolling  cotton 
bales  towards  the  rebel  breastworks  to  make  a  battery. 
After  we  did  that  we  were  set  to  work  digging  rifle  pits. 
About  midnight  sharp  firing  commenced  on  our  right 
and  extended  opposite  to  where  we  were  to  work.  Some 
negroes  at  work  on  the  new  battery  got  scared  and  made 
a  rush  for  the  rear.  Thinking  the  rebels  were  charging 
on  us,  we  ran  for  the  guns  which  were  stacked  about  half 
a  mile  in  the  rear.  Four  companies  only  being  at  work 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  169 

during  the  first  part  of  the  night,  the  others  were  ordered 
to  relieve  us,  taking  their  guns  with  them.  After  every 
thing  was  quiet  we  lay  down  in  the  rear  of  our  stacks, 
where  we  slept  soundly  till  morning,  when  we  returned  to 
our  old  quarters." 


170  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER  XV 

SURRENDER       OF       PORT       HUDSON       DEMANDED  —  SPECIAL 

ORDERS  —  ASSAULT   OF   JUNE    14 GENERAL    PAINF/S 

DIARY  —  BURIAL    OF    THE     DEAD  —  CORRESPONDENCE 
BETWEEN  GENERAL  BANKS  AND  GENERAL  HALLECK 

THE  heavy  artillery  fire  of  June  13  was  preliminary 
to  the  contemplated  assault  of  the  next  day.  On 
the  evening  of  the  13th  those  companies  of  the 
regiment  stationed  at  the  marine  battery  were  ordered  to 
fall  in  and  a  little  later,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Hodges,  marched  out  over  fields  and  through  woods,  into 
almost  impenetrable  blackness  towards  the  river  on  our 
left  by  the  way  of  Slaughter's  plantation.  It  was  a 
stealthy  and  silent  march,  the  men  keeping  in  line  only 
by  touching  those  in  front  of  them.  We  had  been  ordered 
to  report  to  General  Dwight  and  reached  his  command 
about  one  in  the  morning,  stacked  guns,  and  threw  our 
selves  upon  the  ground  for  a  brief  rest. 

On  June  13  the  following  correspondence  took  place 
between  General  Banks  and  General  Gardner  in  relation 
to  the  surrender  of  Port  Hudson: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  13,  1863. 

Sir:  Respect  for  the  usages  of  war  and  a  desire  to  avoid  un 
necessary  sacrifice  of  life  impose  upon  me  the  necessity  of  formally 
demanding  the  surrender  of  the  garrison  of  Port  Hudson.  I  am 
not  unconscious  in  making  this  demand  that  the  garrison  is  capable 
of  continuing  a  vigorous  and  gallant  defence.  The  events  that 
have  transpired  during  the  pending  investment  exhibit  in  the 
commander  and  garrison  a  spirit  of  constancy  and  courage  that, 
in  a  different  cause,  would  be  universally  regarded  as  heroism,  but 
I  know  the  extremities  to  which  they  are  reduced.  I  have  many 


DAVID  BOYNTON 


HFNRV  T 
" 


JOHN  P.  BRADSTREET 


PA    SAWYER 

Hospital  Steward,  50th  Mass. 


Co   F   50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  171 

deserters  and  prisoners  of  war.  I  have  captured  the  couriers  of 
the  garrison,  and  have  in  my  possession  the  secret  dispatches  of 
the  commander.  I  have  at  my  command  a  train  of  artillery  sel 
dom  equaled  in  extent  and  efficiency,  which  no  ordinary  fortress 
can  successfully  resist,  and  an  infantry  force  of  greatly  superior 
numbers  and  most  determined  purpose,  that  cannot  fail  to  place 
Port  Hudson  in  my  possession  at  my  will.  To  push  the  contest  to 
extremities,  however,  may  place  the  protection  of  life  beyond  the 
control  of  the  commanders  of  the  respective  forces.  I  desire  to 
avoid  unnecessary  slaughter,  and  I  therefore  demand  the  immediate 
surrender  of  the  garrison,  subject  to  such  conditions  only  as  are 
imposed  by  the  usages  of  civilized  warfare.  I  have  the  honor  to 
be,  sir, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Maj.-Gen.  FRANK  GARDNER,  C.S.  Army, 

Commanding  Port  Hudson. 

Sir:  Your  note  of  this  date  has  just  been  handed  to  me,  and  in 
reply  I  have  to  state  that  my  duty  requires  me  to  defend  this 
position,  and  therefore  I  decline  to  surrender. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 
Major-General  Commanding  C.S.  Forces. 
Maj.-Gen.  N.  P.  BANKS, 

Commanding  U.S.  Forces  near  Port  Hudson. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  13,  1863. 
SPECIAL  ORDERS, 
No.  140. 


VIII.  4.30  P.M.     Col.    B.    H.    Grierson,    6th    Illinois    Cavalry, 
commanding  cavalry,  will  at  once  send  the  companies  of  the  1st 
Louisiana  Cavalry  and  unattached  Massachusetts  cavalry  (Magee's 
and  Perkins's)  under  his  command  to  Brig.-Gen.  William  Dwight, 
commanding  2d  Division. 

IX.  4.30  P.M.     After  establishing  a  line  of  pickets,  only  covering 
the  roads  leading  from  the  rear  to  Port  Hudson,  Colonel  Grierson 


172  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

will  detach  Col.  Edward  Prince,  7th  Illinois  Cavalry,  with  300 
cavalry,  and  the  pieces  of  artillery  belonging  to  the  Cavalry  Brigade, 
and  order  him  to  take  post  in  the  field  in  rear  of  the  colored  troops 
under  Colonel  Nelson,  on  our  right,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the 
enemy  through  the  space  between  the  right  of  General  Grover  and 
the  left  of  Colonel  Nelson. 

X.  Colonel  Grierson,  having  made  the  details  and  established 
the  picket  line  directed  by  paragraphs  VIII  and  IX  of  this  order, 
will  report  at  these  headquarters  with  the  remainder  of  his  command 
at  seven  o'clock  this  evening. 

XI.  Division    commanders  will  at  once  see  that  a  sufficient 
reserve  of  ammunition  for  the  infantry  and  light  artillery  of  their 
divisions  is  not  only  provided,  but  also  placed  where  it  can  be 
readily  reached,  and  issued  when  needed. 

XII.  8.45  P.M.     Col.   N.   A.   M.   Dudley,   commanding  the   3d 
Brigade,  1st  Division,  will  detail  one  regiment  of  infantry  to  pro 
ceed  at  once  to  the  headquarters  of  the  2d  Division,  and  report 
for  temporary  duty  to  Brig.-Gen.  William  Dwight,  commanding 
the  division. 

XIII.  8.45  P.M.     Major-General    Augur    will    order    the    48th 
Massachusetts,   Colonel   Stone,   to   proceed   at  once  to   the   head 
quarters  of  the  2d  Division,  and  report  for  temporary  duty  to  Brig.- 
Gen.  William  Dwight,  commanding  the  division. 

XIV.  8.45  P.M.     Col.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  commanding  the  3d 
Brigade,    1st  Division,  will  report  for  orders  with  two  regiments 
of   his   brigade    to    Brigadier-General    Grover,    commanding   right 
wing,  to  support  the  attack. 

XV.  11.30  P.M.     A    general    assault    upon    the    works    of    the 
enemy  at  Port  Hudson  will  be  made  to-morrow  morning,    14th 
instant.     The  following  directions  will  be  observed,  and  the  follow 
ing  information  is  given  for  the  benefit  of  those  principally  con 
cerned:  General  Grover  with  his  command,  including  two  regiments 
of  Colonel  Dudley's  brigade,  under  Colonel  Dudley,  will  make  a 
vigorous   and   determined  assault  at  the  point  in  front  of  Colonel 
Dudley's  present  position,  already  indicated  to  him.     The  artillery 
cross-fire  in  front  of  this  point  of  attack  will  commence  at  three  A.M., 
and,  excepting  such  as  may  have  been  placed  under  his  directions, 
will  cease  only  on  intimation  from  General  Grover  to  these  head 
quarters  that  he  desires  it  to  cease.     The  attacks  by  skirmishers 
will  commence  at  three  thirty  A.M.  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  General 
Grover  may  find  best.     A  detachment  of  the  1st  Louisiana  Engi 
neers,  under  Captain  Jones,  has  been  directed  to  report  to  General 
Grover,  with  entrenching  tools  and  sand   bags,  to  take  position, 
unless   otherwise  ordered  by   him,   near   the   twelve-pounder  rifle 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  173 

battery.  General  Augur  will,  in  pursuance  of  orders  already  given, 
detail  two  regiments  of  Colonel  Dudley's  brigade,  under  Colonel 
Dudley,  to  report  to  General  Grover,  and  two  regiments  as  already 
ordered  to  report  to  General  Dwight.  With  the  remainder  of  his 
command,  General  Augur  will  make  a  feigned  attack  on  the  part 
of  the  works  in  front  of  Holcomb's  battery  and  slaughterhouse, 
to  be  made  vigorously,  and  converted  into  a  real  attack  should 
circumstances  favor  it.  He  will  also  hold  his  command  in  readiness 
to  support  either  General  Grover  or  General  Dwight,  in  pursuance 
of  orders  that  may  be  given  from  these  headquarters.  A  heavy 
fire  of  artillery  will  open  on  this  point  of  attack  at  two  forty- 
five  A.M. 

At  three  fifteen  A.M.  the  attack  by  skirmishers  will  be  briskly 
made.  An  officer,  to  be  designated  by  Colonel  Hodge,  will  report 
to  General  Augur,  with  a  detachment  of  the  1st  Louisiana  Engineers, 
and  with  entrenching  tools  and  sand  bags  to  take  position,  unless 
otherwise  ordered  by  General  Augur,  near  Holcomb's  battery,  on 
the  road  leading  from  his  headquarters  to  Port  Hudson. 

General  Dwight,  with  his  command,  including  two  regiments  to 
be  sent  him  by  General  Augur,  will  make  an  attempt  to  gain  an 
entrance  to  the  enemy's  works  on  our  extreme  left.  Should  this 
attempt  fail,  it  will  be  properly  reported  to  these  headquarters, 
and  the  same  will  be  done  in  case  of  its  success.  In  the  former 
case  the  command  will  be  held  in  readiness  to  move  promptly  to 
re-enforce  at  other  points,  in  pursuance  of  orders  that  may  be  given 
from  these  headquarters. 

A  detachment  of  the  1st  Louisiana  Engineers,  provided  with 
entrenching  tools  and  sand  bags,  will  report  to  General  Dwight,  and 
take  position,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  him,  on  the  road  on  our 
extreme  left  leading  to  Port  Hudson,  as  near  the  works  as  cover 
may  be  found,  General  Dwight  to  move  at  such  time  after  three 
thirty  A.M.  to-morrow  as  he  may  deem  most  expedient.  Generals 
Augur,  Grover  and  Dwight  will  not  wait  for  signals,  but  act  at 
the  time  specified  herein  without  further  orders.  The  standard 
is  the  telegraph  time  at  these  headquarters. 

General  Arnold  will  have  charge  of  all  artillery  in  position  ex 
cepting  such  as  he  may  have  placed  under  the  direction  of  division 
commanders.  A  reserve  of  engines,  and  troops  under  Colonel 
Hodge,  with  tools  and  sand  bags,  will  be  stationed  near  General 
Augur's  headquarters.  General  Banks's  headquarters  will  be, 
during  the  action  at  the  barn,  near  the  naval  battery.  All  appli 
cations  for  re-enforcements  will  be  made  to  these  headquarters. 
Either  of  the  three  commanders  of  a  point  of  attack  is  authorized 


174  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

to  order  the  fire  of  artillery  near  him  to  cease,  if  he  finds  it  incon 
veniencing  his  troops  or  movements.  He  will  report  his  acts  to 
those  headquarters. 

BY  COMMAND  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  BANKS. 
RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

It  appears  by  special  order  No.  140  that  in  the  assault 
of  June  14  General  Grover  was  in  command  in  that  part 
of  the  line  in  front  of  where  General  Dudley's  brigade 
had  been  located.  Grover  was  on  the  extreme  right, 
and  next  to  him  on  the  left  came  General  Augur,  and  on 
the  extreme  left  General  Dwight,  to  whom  the  50th  had 
been  temporarily  assigned. 

About  three  in  the  morning,  at  the  first  approach  of 
dawn,  we  were  aroused,  partook  of  hot  coffee,  and  as  we 
understood  were  ordered  to  the  assault,  being  expected 
to  cross  a  deep  ravine  and  carry  the  works  upon  the 
opposite  side.  Here  again  it  was  said  the  order  was 
countermanded  on  account  of  our  smooth  bores,  and  the 
regiment  was  probably  saved  from  being  cut  to  pieces. 

It  was  a  beautiful  Sabbath  morning,  but  the  usual 
quiet  associated  with  the  day  was  disturbed  by  a  terrific 
roar  of  artillery  and  firing  of  infantry  in  the  battle  that 
raged  along  the  lines.  After  a  time  the  regiment  was 
ordered  into  a  piece  of  woods  to  await  further  orders, 
where  we  remained  during  the  day  in  comparative  safety, 
taking  no  active  part  during  the  assault 

Account  of  Comrade  Howe  of  Company  F : 

"At  daylight  we  formed  on  the  left  of  Nickerson's 
brigade  in  line  of  battle.  We  were  in  position  but  a 
short  time  when  we  were  ordered,  'companies  right 
wheel/  and  marched  towards  the  front.  Just  before 
getting  out  of  the  woods,  learning  of  the  ill  success  of 
the  brigades  in  front  of  us,  we  halted  and  remained  in 
this  position  the  rest  of  the  day,  every  minute  expecting 
the  order  to  charge  on  the  enemy's  works,  but  no  order 
came.  At  night  we  were  thrown  out  as  pickets  very 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  175 

near  the  breastworks,  so  near  we  could  hear  them  talk 
inside.  Another  Sunday  fight  and  another  Sunday  de 
feat.  Everywhere  on  the  line  we  were  repulsed  with 
great  loss,  many  officers  being  killed  and  wounded." 

Account  of  Sergeant  Nelson: 

"  Attention!  Forward!  In  a  breath  of  time  the  whole 
regiment  is  alive  with  men  in  solid  column,  moving 
upward  toward  the  earthworks.  This  is  a  time  that  tries 
men's  pluck.  Now  we  begin  to  meet  the  ambulance 
corps  bringing  out  the  wounded  on  stretchers.  With 
slow  and  careful  steps  they  move  with  their  burdens  to 
the  rear.  It  was  here  that  I  met  Captain  Todd  of  the 
48th  (whom  I  well  knew  in  milder  times),  with  the  blood 
streaming  from  his  mouth,  wounded  by  a  piece  of  shell. 
The  dead  are  lying  all  around  us.  One  innocent  smooth 
faced  boy  lay  so  directly  in  our  way  that  I  was  obliged 
to  step  over  him.  There  he  lay  with  his  childish  face 
turned  heavenward,  holding  his  musket  with  a  deadly 
grasp.  Still  moving  on,  I  shall  never  forget  the  deter 
mined  look  of  some  of  my  comrades,  the  mouth  firmly 
shut,  the  lips  drawn  tight.  We  all  felt  that  this  was 
the  most  critical  moment  we  had  yet  seen.  We  were 
just  about  to  enter  the  jaws  of  death;  he  will  be  fortu 
nate  who  comes  back.  Soon  we  enter  the  belt  of  wood 
where  the  whole  command  is  halted,  and  after  a  few 
minutes  we  find  that  we  are  to  remain  here  for  the 
present. 

"The  hours  passed  slowly.  We  dared  not  leave  for 
any  purpose,  and  consequently  everything  beyond  what 
we  could  see  immediately  near  us  was  pure  guesswork. 
It  appeared  like  a  disappointment,  a  failure  or  a  fizzle. 
The  regiment  immediately  behind  us  was  a  New  York 
Zou  Zou,  and  upon  coming  to  a  rest  we  were  brought 
together,  so  we  stacked  our  guns  and  related  our  experi 
ence  to  each  other,  the  term  of  enlistment,  '  how  long  this 
thing  is  going  to  hold  out,  and  hopes  for  the  future. 
They  had  coffee  and  we  had  none,  we  had  hard-tack  and 


176  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

they  hadn't,  so  betwixt  us  all  we  'licked  the  platter 
clean/  After  the  tables  were  cleared  we  sat  under  the 
trees  and  wandered  back  to  New  York.  Very  many  of 
these  Zouaves  are  members  of  the  first  families  in  New 
York  City,  nice  appearing,  well-educated  gentlemen,  and 
taken  as  a  body  they  are  the  finest  set  of  fellows  I  ever 
saw. 

"Toward  night  we  were  ordered  to  form  and  move  back; 
passed  many  reminders  of  the  fight,  and  that  is  all  we  can 
tell  about  it.  Soldiers  are  always  giving  their  opinions, 
and  they  are  unanimous  that  the  assault  is  a  failure. 
Appearances  were  never  stronger  than  the  present  ones. 
After  dark  we  arrived  somewhere  and  were  posted  by 
companies  to  guard  something.  Company  K  was  divided 
into  three  squads,  with  strictest  orders  for  one  of  the 
officers  to  keep  constantly  on  the  alert,  as  a  break  was 
expected  to  be  made  by  rebels  through  our  forces.  It 
appears  that  they  are  as  anxious  to  get  out  as  we  are  to 
get  in,  and  the  only  difficulty  arising  is  the  terms  of  making 
the  change.  They  say  the  place  is  not  large  enough  for 
both;  we  say  it  is,  and  will  convince  them  of  its  truth 
soon.  Captain  Barnes  was  very  sick  all  night  with  no 
remedies  at  hand,  so  he  lay  on  the  ground  and  Bradstreet 
and  the  orderly  took  turns  walking.  If  I  ever  suffered  it 
was  this  night.  I  know  of  no  suffering  equal  to  being 
obliged  to  keep  awake  when  every  bone,  muscle,  fiber  and 
the  very  hairs  of  one's  head  are  tired  to  death.  The 
perfection  of  torture  is  reached  when,  as  in  Japan,  the 
most  diabolical  crimes  are  punished  by  death  for  want  of 
sleep.  We  would  take  turns  sleeping  and  watching,  a 
moment's  standstill  and  I  was  fast  asleep.  The  lieutenant 
was  worse  off  than  myself,  if  possible;  but  the  longest 
night  of  my  life  passed,  and  when  morning  broke  upon  us 
a  mortar  battery  was  found  to  be  the  object  of  our  solici 
tude.  It  must  be  a  great  relief  to  the  general  command 
ing  to  know  of  its  safety. 

"The  sun  was  high  in  the  heavens  when  we  took  up  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  177 

line  of  march  to  our  old  quarters.  Dr.  Cogswell  kindly 
relieved  me  of  everything  of  any  weight,  so  with  feeble 
steps  we  got  home  again,  where  the  cooks  had  prepared  us 
a  sumptuous  repast  of  stewed  beans,  which  were  devoured 
just  as  hungry  men  will  eat  who  have  been  without  board 
for  thirty-six  hours." 

The  following  order  of  General  Paine  indicates  the 
method  of  assault  that  was  contemplated: 

1.  The  hand  grenade  men  carry  their  pieces  on  their  backs,  and 
carry  each  one  grenade.     They  march  three  paces  in  rear  of  their 
line  of  skirmishers.     Having  thrown  their  grenades,  they  go  on  as 
skirmishers. 

2.  The  cotton-bag  bearers  march  at  head  of  column,  two  hundred 
paces  in  rear  of  skirmishers.     They  fill  the  ditch  to  company  front. 
Having  deposited  the  bags,  they  take  arms  and  march  at  the  head 
of  the  column. 

3.  The  whole  movement  will  be   in   quick   time;    no   double 
quick;    but  in  case  the  skirmishers  encounter  batteries  which  they 
can  take  by  double  quick  advance,  they  will  move  in  that  step. 

4.  The  skirmishers  will   clamber  upon   the  parapet,   followed 
by  the  carriers  of  hand  grenades,  which  will  be  thrown  over  into 
the  works  as  soon  as  the  skirmishers  are  on  the  outer  slope  of  the 
parapets.     The   skirmishers   will   then  rush   in,   and   gain   ground 
forward,  fighting,  lying  down,  etc.,  according  to  circumstances. 

5.  As  soon  as  the  column  is  within  the  works,  each  brigade 
will  form  line  of  battle,  and  lie  down  until  the  artillery  is  brought 
up,  unless  circumstances  should  necessitate  different  orders. 

6.  Each   regimental   commander   will   read   these   instructions 
to  his  command,  and  will  carefully  explain  to  his  own  troops  their 
particular  duties. 

7.  Each  regiment,  when  forming  in  the  night,  will  move  silently, 
the  officers  speaking  in  a  low  tone. 

8.  The  men  will  carry  two  days'  rations  of  hard  bread  in  their 
haversacks,  forty  rounds  of  ammunition   in   their  cartridge  boxes 
and  twenty  rounds  in  their  pockets.     The  knapsacks  will  be  left 
in  camp  under  a  guard  of  convalescents. 

BY  COMMAND  OF  BRIG.-GEN.  H.  E.  PAINE. 

The  assault  commenced  between  three  and  four  A.M., 
continued  into  the  forenoon,  and  as  on  May  27  proved 
an  utter  failure.  The  attack  was  not  simultaneous  along 


178  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  entire  line.  Some  of  the  heaviest  fighting  and  con 
siderable  loss  occurred  in  front  of  where  we  had  been 
supporting  the  marine  battery,  in  which  General  Paine 
was  conspicuous. 

General  Paine's  diary: 

"  14th.  At  two  A.M.  began  to  form  my  division  for  the 
assault.  It  was  covered  by  a  heavy  cannonade  in  which 
a  battery  of  Dahlgren  guns  behind  my  division  and  served 
by  sailors  participated.  Our  advance  was  checked  at 
ninety  yards  from  the  place  we  attacked.  I  went  from 
the  head  of  the  column  to  the  line  of  skirmishers,  and, 
while  giving  an  order  to  advance  as  loudly  as  I  possibly 
could,  at  the  first  word  of  which  the  men  sprang  forward, 
was  struck  soon  after  daylight  by  a  rifle  ball  and  fell  in 
the  midst  of  many  dead  and  wounded  about  fifty  yards 
from  the  enemy's  works,  into  which  portions  of  the  4th 
Wisconsin  and  8th  New  Hampshire  penetrated.  I  have 
no  official  information  and  very  little  knowledge  of  the 
subsequent  operations  of  the  division.  Slight  ridges  of 
the  field  which  had  formerly  been  cultivated  protected 
me  from  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  which  broke  out  with  great 
fury  as  often  as  the  intolerable  heat  compelled  me  to 
move.  Two  soldiers,  whose  names  I  have  not  yet  been 
able  to  ascertain,  attempted  to  reach  me  with  a  stretcher 
and  fell  near  me.  Private  Patrick  Cohen,  of  the  133d 
New  York,  lying  wounded  near  me,  tossed  me  a  canteen 
cut  from  the  dead  body  of  a  soldier.  That,  doubtless, 
saved  my  life.  In  the  evening  I  was  rescued  by  a  party 
under  Colonel  Kimball,  53d  Massachusetts.  I  think  I 
should  have  had  my  division  within  the  fortification  in 
less  than  twenty  minutes  if  I  had  not  been  wounded,  but 
with  a  fearful  addition  to  the  slaughter  of  brave  men 
from  which  the  eventual  surrender  saved  me." 

"  Southern  Historical  Society  Papers/'  page  328: 

"June  13,  1863.  That  night  we  were  shelled  from  the 
mortar  boats  and  pounded  by  the  land  batteries.  Just 
before  daylight  on  June  14  they  massed  their  forces  in 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  179 

front  of  the  left  of  our  center  and  under  a  heavy  fire  of 
our  artillery  a  simultaneous  attack  was  made  upon  the 
1st  Mississippi,  the  49th  Alabama  and  the  isolated  position 
held  by  the  15th  Arkansas.  Against  the  latter  but  one 
charge  was  made;  against  the  former  desperate  efforts 
were  made  with  no  success.  The  ground  immediately 
in  front,  being  much  broken,  afforded  facilities  for  the 
Federals  to  form  their  troops  in  line  of  battle  protected 
from  our  fire. 

"  Their  advanced  line  was  composed  of  three  picked 
regiments,  the  4th  Wisconsin,  8th  New  Hampshire  and 
a  New  York  regiment,  preceded  by  two  hundred  and 
fifty  select  men  with  hand  grenades.  These  all  fought 
gallantly,  but  the  main  body  in  the  rear  evidently  could 
not  be  induced  to  come  up  to  their  support.  The  Fed 
erals  at  first  pressed  heavily  upon  the  right,  where  the 
49th  Alabama  was  stationed,  and  it  became  necessary  to 
close  our  men  down  in  that  direction,  leaving  a  portion 
of  the  line  almost  entirely  unprotected,  which  movement 
came  near  proving  highly  disastrous  to  us.  The  smoke 
was  so  thick  that  nothing  could  be  seen  more  than  twenty 
steps  in  advance,  and  before  our  troops  were  aware  of  it 
the  Federals  were  pouring  into  the  ditches  and  scaling 
our  breastworks  on  the  left.  A  rapid  counter  movement, 
however,  frustrated  their  designs,  and  they  were  driven 
backwards  with  considerable  slaughter.  Again  and  again 
they  rallied,  but  were  each  time  repulsed  and  forced  to 
seek  shelter  in  the  ravines  behind  them,  and  there  to 
re-form  their  scattered  ranks.  In  several  instances  their 
skirmishers  succeeded  in  gaining  our  ditches  and  hurling 
their  grenades  over  the  parapets,  many  of  which  failed 
to  explode  and  were  thrown  back  at  them  by  our  boys. 
The  engagement  lasted  from  four  till  eight  o'clock,  when 
the  Federals  were  driven  back  for  the  last  time,  leaving 
a  large  number  of  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the  field. 
The  ground  in  front  of  our  works  was  blue  with  their 
uniforms,  and  the  weeds  and  bushes  still  farther  forward 


180  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

were  strewn  with  them.  At  one  point  in  our  ditches 
fourteen  dead  bodies  were  counted  in  a  single  group. 
Across  the  road  leading  to  Troth's  Landing,  and  in  front 
of  our  extreme  right,  the  enemy  in  line  of  battle  came 
charging  on  with  four  regimental  colors  streaming  in  the 
wind;  at  the  same  time  another  line  of  battle  in  front  of 
the  left  of  the  right  wing,  stretching  across  the  lower  part 
of  Gibbon's  field;  both  of  these  were  repulsed  by  the  fire 
of  our  artillery.  After  this,  our  ammunition  being  scarce, 
the  men  were  not  allowed  to  fire  at  their  inclination,  only 
a  few  of  the  best  shots  being  permitted  to  fire  at  inter 
vals,  when  good  opportunity  offered. 

"For  several  nights  after  this  our  columbiads  sent 
eight  and  ten  inch  shells  over  the  heads  of  our  own  troops 
on  the  land  line  until  our  stock  of  reliable  fuses  was 
exhausted.  Five  weeks  of  this  kind  of  work  passed  away 
without  rest  to  our  men  either  by  night  or  by  day,  on 
account  of  the  nightly  shellings  of  the  Federal  land  and 
water  forces.  This,  combined  with  continued  exposure  to 
the  sun,  rain  and  night  dews,  brought  on  much  sickness. 
Our  stock  of  medicines  proved  to  be  even  shorter  than 
our  stock  of  provisions;  an  increasing  list  of  chills  and 
fever  exhausted  our  quinine.  Ipecac  took  its  place  as 
long  as  it  lasted,  and  nothing  was  left  but  a  decoction  of 
indigenous  barks  to  check  fever,  that  did  not  effect  any 
wonderful  cures  so  far  as  heard  from." 

In  the  assault  of  the  14th  two  companies  of  the  4th 
Wisconsin  went  over  the  works  and  were  captured  because 
not  sufficiently  supported,  and  altogether  the  attempt  to 
carry  the  line  of  fortifications  was  a  lamentable  failure, 
attended  with  great  loss  of  life.  Our  loss  was  reported 
to  have  been  203  killed  and  1,401  wounded.  Many  poor 
fellows  were  left  wounded  upon  the  field,  and  no  success 
ful  effort  seems  to  have  been  made  to  bring  them  off  till 
the  17th.  In  the  mean  time,  suffering  excruciating  pain, 
under  a  blistering  sun,  without  food  or  water,  one  hun 
dred  and  thirteen  perished,  and  only  one  survived  to  be 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  181 

brought  in  under  the  flag  of  truce,  Charles  E.  Conant,  of 
the  8th  New  Hampshire.  For  a  few  hours  there  was  a 
cessation  of  hostilities;  the  men  went  over  the  field,  col 
lected  the  dead  bodies,  bore  them  within  our  lines  on 
stretchers,  and  buried  them  in  a  common  trench. 

HEADQUARTERS  UNITED  STATES  FORCES, 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  15,  1863. 

Sir:    I  have  the  honor  to  request  your  permission  to  send  a 
small  quantity  of  medical  and  hospital  supplies  within  your  works, 
for  the  comfort  of  my  wounded  in  your  hands,  and  of  such  of  your 
own  as  you  may  desire  to  use  them  for. 
Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Maj.-Gen.  FRANK  GARDNER, 

Commanding  C.S.  Forces,  Port  Hudson. 

HEADQUARTERS  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  June  15,  1863. 
Sir:  In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  date,  I  have  the  honor  to  state 
that  I  will  send  out  to  meet  any  party  you  may  wish  to  send  in  with 
such  medicines  and  hospital  supplies  as  you  may  desire  to  send 
for  your  wounded  in  my  possession.  I  take  the  liberty  to  inform 
you  (deeming  that  you  are  probably  ignorant  of  the  fact)  that 
there  are  a  few  of  your  dead  and  wounded  in  the  vicinity  of  my 
breastworks,  and  I  have  attempted  to  give  succor  to  your  wounded, 
but  your  sharpshooters  have  prevented  it. 

I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 
Major-General  Commanding  C.S.  Forces. 
Maj.-Gen.  N.  P.  BANKS, 

Commanding  United  States  Forces  near  Port  Hudson,  La. 

HEADQUARTERS  SECOND  DIVISION, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  15,  1863. 
GENERAL  ORDERS, 

No.  4. 

The  brigadier  general  commanding  the  division  congratulates 
the  troops  on  the  brave  advance  they  made  yesterday,  and  the 
ground  they  gained  from  the  enemy,  and  which  they  now  hold . 


182  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Every  such  approach  toward  the  enemy  must  discourage  and 
distress  the  rebel  force,  but  to  do  this  it  is  important  that  not  a 
step  of  ground  be  lost;  that  from  every  ravine  and  from  every 
artificial  cover  our  riflemen  shall  annoy  and  destroy  the  rebels 
within  their  works.  It  is  important,  then,  that  our  soldiers  shall 
get  such  advanced  positions  that  the  enemy  cannot  move  about 
within  their  works  in  safety.  The  brigadier  general  commanding 
has  to  complain  that  regimental  commanders  do  not  keep  their 
men  well  enough  in  hand,  and  that  line  officers  do  not  keep  the 
soldiers  in  ranks  with  sufficient  strictness.  These  faults  must  be 
corrected.  No  soldiers  can  march  to  an  assault  who  fail  to  pre 
serve  their  formation  strictly;  no  advance  can  be  well  held  when 
soldiers  are  suffered  to  leave  ranks;  no  sharpshooters  or  skirmishers 
can  be  effective  unless  controlled  by  their  line  officers.  Regimental 
commanders  do  not  preserve  control  over  their  regiments  when 
they  allow  their  soldiers  to  mingle  with  the  soldiers  of  other  regi 
ments  on  the  battlefield.  The  proper  intervals  of  regiments  must, 
under  all  circumstance,  be  preserved.  When  regiments  are  crowded 
they  are  inefficient  and  sometimes  uselessly  exposed. 

BY  ORDER  OF  BRIGADIER-GENERAL  DWIGHT. 
WICKHAM  HOFFMAN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

From  the  following  correspondence  it  appears  there 
was  some  disaffection  among  the  nine-months  troops, 
caused  by  their  detention  after  their  term  of  enlistment 
had  expired: 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  18,  1863. 

General:  I  respectfully  request  that  I  may  be  informed  by  re 
turn  mail  what  is  the  decision  of  the  War  Department  on  the  ques 
tion  when  the  terms  of  service  of  the  nine-months  regiments  expire. 
These  regiments  originally  claimed  that  their  term  of  service  expired 
by  companies.  They  now  understand  that  the  term  of  the  whole 
regiment  expires  with  that  of  the  last  company,  and  the  governor 
of  Massachusetts  has  distributed  notices  to  that  effect  to  the  regi 
ments  from  that  state.  But,  in  the  absence  of  instructions,  I  shall 
decide  that  their  term  is  to  be  reckoned,  first,  from  date  of  muster 
of  the  regiment  as  a  regiment;  secondly,  if  no  such  formal  muster 
was  ever  made,  from  the  date  of  muster  in  of  the  field  and  staff. 
As  this  decision  is  likely  to  create  considerable  feeling  among  this 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  183 

class  of  troops,  many  of  whom  think  they  have  already  exceeded 
the  period  for  which  they  enlisted,  I  urge  that  the  matter  be  settled 
at  once  by  higher  authority. 

Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

Maj.-Gen.  H.  W.  HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief,  Washington,  D.C. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  18,  1863. 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
dispatches  of  June  3  and  4,  which  reached  me  yesterday.  Since 
I  have  been  in  the  army  I  have  done  all  in  my  power  to  comply 
with  my  orders.  It  is  so  with  the  position  which  I  now  occupy. 
I  came  here  not  only  for  the  purpose  of  cooperating  with  General 
Grant,  but  by  his  own  suggestion  and  appointment.  Before  I 
left  Brashear  City  he  sent  me  information  by  a  special  messenger 
from  the  fleet,  that  he  would  send  me  by  Black  River  a  corps  of 
20,000  men,  to  aid  in  the  reduction  of  Port  Hudson,  preliminary 
to 'an  attack  on  Vicksburg.  Later,  while  at  Opelousas,  I  received 
from  him  a  dispatch  in  cipher,  referring  to  the  assistance  promised, 
and  naming  the  25th  of  May  as  the  day  when  his  force  would  join  me. 
I  replied  that  I  would  be  at  Port  Hudson  on  that  day.  I  reached 
Bayou  Sara  on  the  23d  of  May,  and  advanced  immediately.  A 
few  days  previous  I  received,  from  the  general,  information  that 
in  consequence  of  a  successful  engagement  with  the  enemy  near 
Grand  Gulf,  he  had  moved  to  Jackson,  and  doubted  if  he  could  aid 
me  and  requested  me  to  join  him.  It  was  out  of  my  power  as  I 
was  then  situated,  having  no  communication,  excepting  by  the 
Atchafalaya,  with  New  Orleans,  and  no  transportation,  excepting 
that  which  came  that  way,  to  do  so,  and  I  immediately  answered 
him  that  it  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  transport  my  troops 
there  in  season  to  aid  him. 

The  next  day,  however,  desirous  to  do  all  I  could  to  bring  our 
forces  together,  I  informed  him  that  I  would  send  to  him  all  the 
troops  I  could,  and  sent  my  dispatch  by  Brigadier-General  Dwight, 
who  knew  well  my  situation,  and  adding  to  my  communication, 
that  if  I  had  5,000  men  to  aid  me  in  reducing  Port  Hudson,  I  could 
join  him  at  once  with  all  my  forces.  General  Dwight  returned 
with  an  answer  from  General  Grant  that  I  should  move  against 
Port  Hudson  at  once,  and  that  he  would  send  me  the  troops  I 
wanted,  but  desired  I  should  not  wait  for  them.  It  was  upon 


184  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

this  statement  of  his  purpose  that  I  moved  to  Port  Hudson.  Cop 
ies  of  all  these  dispatches  have  been  sent  to  your  headquarters. 

It  was  not  until  after  my  assault  on  the  works,  the  27th  of  May, 
that  I  learned  from  Colonel  Riggin,  his  aide-de-camp,  who  brought 
his  message,  that  he  could  not  spare  the  troops.  It  seemed  to  all 
my  officers  that  the  speedy  reduction  of  the  post  was  certain.  It 
seemed  so  to  Colonel  Riggin,  who  thought  that  Port  Hudson  should 
be  first  reduced,  and  that  we  were  holding  in  this  locality,  inside 
and  outside  of  the  Port,  more  of  the  enemy's  troops  than  we  could 
carry  of  our  own  to  General  Grant.  My  officers  and  troops  all 
believed  our  success  was  certain  and  immediate.  They  knew  it 
would  be  a  source  of  great  danger  to  New  Orleans  to  leave  a  garrison 
of  5,000  men  at  Port  Hudson,  as  many  at  Mobile,  and  a  large  number 
in  the  Teche  country.  They  knew  also  that  if  we  withdrew  from 
the  attack  here,  with  the  low  water  of  this  month  and  the  summer, 
it  would  be  impossible  to  return  to  New  Orleans  by  the  Atchafalaya 
and  the  Grand  Lake,  and  unless  it  was  certain  that  Vicksburg 
should  fall,  and  General  Grant  return  with  us,  that  we  could  not 
again  reach  New  Orleans.  New  Orleans  has  no  garrison  for  its 
defence  under  such  circumstances,  and  it  could  but  stand  in  great 
peril.  It  seemed  to  me  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  that  I 
should  complete  my  work  here.  It  is  now,  we  believe,  certain  to 
be  done. 

The  reduction  of  Port  Hudson  has  required  a  longer  time  than 
at  first  supposed.  First,  because  it  is  a  stronger  position.  Secondly, 
because  a  large  part  of  my  force  consists  of  nine-months  men, 
who  openly  say  they  do  not  consider  themselves  bound  to  any 
perilous  service.  It  is  this  wholly  unexpected  defection  that  has 
prevented  our  success,  but  it  cannot  defeat  us.  I  do  not  hesitate 
to  say,  that  the  opinion  was  universal  among  our  troops  and  those 
of  the  enemy  that  the  work  must  fall.  In  proof  of  this  I  have  only 
to  say,  that  in  the  assault  of  Sunday  two  companies  of  the  4th 
Wisconsin  Regiment  went  over  the  works,  and  were  captured, 
because  the  column  did  not  follow,  for  the  reason  I  have  stated. 
The  troops  near  the  end  of  their  enlistments  say  they  do  not  feel 
like  desperate  service;  the  men  enlisted  for  the  war  do  not  like  to 
lead  where  the  rest  will  not  follow.  I  can  also  say,  with  certainty, 
that  the  removal  of  my  command,  or  a  considerable  portion  of  it, 
to  Vicksburg  would  enable  the  rebel  troops  to  join  their  forces  on 
either  side  of  the  river,  and  place  New  Orleans  in  immediate  peril. 
The  fleet  can  destroy,  but  it  cannot  defend  the  city.  The  dispatches 
enclosed  will  inform  you  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy  on  the 
river  below,  even  when  Port  Hudson  is  invested,  and  the  enemy 
divided  by  the  river. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  185 

I  came  here  by  express  appointment  of  General  Grant.  It  did 
not  seem  possible,  and  it  does  not  now  seem  possible,  to  withdraw 
from  this  post,  since  the  first  assault,  without  doing  great  injury 
to  the  government,  far  more  than  counterbalances  the  good  rendered 
General  Grant.  My  force  is  not  more  than  14,000  effective  men, 
if  so  much,  including  the  nine-months  men.  I  could  not,  in  the 
present  condition  of  things,  carry  to  him  more  than  8,000  men 
without  infinite  danger  to  the  department.  The  loss  of  New 
Orleans  would  be  an  irreparable  calamity  to  the  government,  and 
ought  to  be  avoided.  I  hope  to  effect  an  immediate  reduction  of 
Port  Hudson,  and  transport  all  my  force  to  Vicksburg.  I  have  the 
honor  to  be,  with  much  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Major-General  HALLECK, 

Commanding  Army  of  the  United  States. 


186  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER  XV 

VOLUNTEERS  CALLED  FOR  TO  FORM  A  STORMING  PARTY  — 
THE  REGIMENT  VOLUNTEER  TO  REMAIN  BEYOND  THEIR 
TERM  OF  ENLISTMENT  —  SURRENDER  OF  PORT  HUD 
SON 


N 


OTWITHSTANDING  the  failure  of  the  14th,  Gen 
eral  Banks  was  still  confident  of  success,  as  appears 
in  General  Order  49: 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  15,  1863. 

The  commanding  general  congratulates  the  troops  before  Port 
Hudson  upon  the  steady  advance  made  upon  the  enemy's  works, 
and  is  confident  of  an  immediate  and  triumphant  issue  of  the 
contest.  We  are  at  all  points  upon  the  threshold  of  his  fortifications. 
One  more  advance,  and  they  are  ours.  For  the  last  duty  that 
victory  imposes,  the  commanding  general  summons  the  bold  men 
of  the  corps  to  the  organization  of  a  storming  column  of  1,000  men, 
to  vindicate  the  flag  of  the  Union,  and  the  memory  of  its  defenders 
who  have  fallen.  Let  them  come  forward.  Officers  who  lead  the 
column  of  victory  in  this  last  assault  may  be  assured  of  the  just 
recognition  of  their  services  by  promotion,  and  every  officer  and 
soldier  who  shares  its  perils  and  its  glory  shall  receive  a  medal  fit 
to  commemorate  the  first  grand  success  of  1863  for  the  freedom 
of  the  Mississippi.  His  name  will  be  placed  in  general  orders  upon 
the  roll  of  honor.  Division  commanders  will  at  once  report  the 
names  of  the  officers  and  men  who  may  volunteer  for  this  service, 
in  order  that  the  organization  of  the  column  may  be  completed 
without  delay. 

BY  COMMAND  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  BANKS. 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

After  the  unsuccessful  attempt  to  carry  the  works  by 
direct  assault  had  demonstrated  the  fact  that  it  could 


WILLIAM  B.   UPTON 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  A,  50th  Mass. 


ORAMEL  G.  ABBOTT 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  D,  50th  Mass. 


FREDERICK  COCHRANE 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  C,  50th  Mass. 


WILLIAM  H.  KURD 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  B,  50th  Mass. 


JAMES  D.  DRAPER, 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  E,  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  187 

not  be  accomplished  without  great  loss  of  life,  the  rifle 
was  laid  aside  during  the  next  three  weeks  for  the  pick 
and  the  shovel,  and  the  engineers  went  to  the  front. 
Trenches,  parallels  and  tunnels  were  pushed  nearer  and 
nearer  to  the  Confederate  line,  their  walls  were  being 
undermined  and  the  ground  was  honeycombed  with  sub 
terranean  passages.  The  moment  was  almost  ripe  for 
the  final  assault  at  the  time  of  the  surrender,  and  there 
can  be  little  doubt  that  it  would  have  proved  a  complete 
success.  In  the  mean  time  our  life  was  monotonous;  still 
supporting  batteries,  sleeping  in  rifle  pits,  exposed  to 
extreme  heat  during  the  day,  but  buoyed  up  by  the  fact 
that  the  end  of  our  enlistment  was  near  at  hand,  and  by 
the  anticipation  of  an  early  return  to  our  homes  and 
friends;  but  this  we  had  no  right  to  expect  till  the  fall  of 
Port  Hudson.  Some  of  the  nine-months  troops  were 
almost  insubordinate,  as  nine  months  had  expired  since 
they  were  mustered  in.  The  50th  was  the  only  nine- 
months  regiment  in  Dudley's  brigade,  and  the  staff  and 
line  officers  were  summoned  to  his  headquarters  and  the 
exigency  of  the  case  laid  before  them.  The  regiment 
volunteered,  to  its  credit,  to  remain. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  2,  1863. 
SPECIAL  ORDERS, 

No.  158. 

The  commanding  general  cannot  too  warmly  thank  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  50th  Massachusetts  Volunteers  for  their  prompt 
and  patriotic  offer  of  the  service  of  that  regiment  until  the  14th 
instant,  or  two  weeks  beyond  the  period  when  they  deemed  that 
the  term  of  their  enlistment  expired.  This  prompt  decision  reflects 
honor  upon  the  gallant  officers  and  men  of  this  regiment,  and  will 
be  in  the  future  their  proudest  title  to  the  gratitude  of  their  country 
men,  and  the  esteem  of  their  comrades,  with  whom  they  will  share 
the  coming  triumph  and  divide  the  glory. 

BY  COMMAND  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  BANKS. 
RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


188  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Anticipating  a  third  assault,  as  has  already  appeared 
volunteers  were  called  upon  from  the  various  regiments 
to  form  a  storming  party,  who  formed  a  camp  by  them 
selves.  Among  the  volunteers  were  Private  James  Miller 
of  Company  B  and  Corpl.  Edward  S.  Tubbs  of  Company 
G.  Corporal  Tubbs  of  Haverhill,  after  the  fall  of  Port 
Hudson,  was  transferred  on  July  17,  1863,  to  the  6th 
Illinois  Cavalry.  Private  Miller  retired  a  brigadier  gen 
eral  in  the  United  States  Army.  General  Miller  narrated 
the  following  incident:  When  he  and  Corporal  Tubbs  re 
ported  at  the  headquarters  of  the  "Forlorn  Hope,"  an 
official  called  the  volunteers  forward  in  the  order  of  the 
regiments.  "Who  commands  the  detachment  from  the 
50th  Massachusetts?"  "I  do,"  says  Corporal  Tubbs. 
"Where  is  your  detachment?"  says  the  official.  "There 
he  is,"  says  Corporal  Tubbs,  pointing  to  Comrade  Miller. 
General  Miller  said  it  was  understood  that  the  next 
assault  would  be  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  that  the  "For 
lorn  Hope"  was  then  in  readiness,  but  he  thought  it 
probable  General  Banks  was  of  the  opinion  that  Port 
Hudson  would  soon  surrender  and  so  postponed  the 
assault.  It  is  the  recollection  of  the  writer  that  several 
other  members  of  the  regiment  besides  Corporal  Tubbs 
and  James  Miller  volunteered  to  join  the  assaulting 
column,  among  them  Charles  H.  Warren  of  Company  C. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  20,  1863. 

General:  The  volunteers  of  the  storming  party  will  assemble 
at  nine  A.M.  to-morrow,  at  the  headquarters  of  the  right  and  left 
wings  respectively,  whence  they  will  be  conducted  by  orderlies 
to  the  camp  of  the  stormers.  They  should  have  two  days'  rations, 
shelter  tents,  cooking  utensils,  etc. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Maj.-Gen.  C.  C.  AUGUR, 

Commanding,  etc. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  189 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  21,  1863. 

General:  The  commanding  general  directs  that  you  send  the 
stormers  to  report  at  Colonel  Birge's  headquarters. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Maj.-Gen.  C.  C.  AUGUR, 

Commanding,  etc. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  June  25,  1863. 

General:  Direct  Colonel  Birge  to  organize  a  storming  party  im 
mediately  into  two  battalions,  and  drill  it  for  its  work.  Too  great 
a  proportion  of  officers  ought  not  to  be  taken,  but  four  may  be 
allowed  to  each  company. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Brig.-Gen.  C.  GROVER, 

Commanding  Right  Wing. 

HEADQUARTERS  STORMING  COLUMN,  June  28,  1863. 
Sir:    I  have  the  honor  to  report  that  the  volunteers  for  the 
storming  column  are  organized  in  two  battalions  of  eight  companies 
each,  strength  of  companies  about  fifty  enlisted  men;   three  and  in 
some  cases  four  commissioned  officers  to  a  company.     Battalion 
officers  are  to  each,  one  lieutenant  colonel  commanding,  two  majors 
or  acting  as  such,  one  adjutant,  one  quartermaster.     One  surgeon 
(from  160th  New  York)  has  reported.     Present  strength  for  duty 
is:  commissioned  officers,  67;  enlisted  men,  826.     Total,  893. 
I  am,  Captain,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

HENRY  W.  BIRGE, 
Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding. 
DUNCAN  S.  WALKER, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson: 

"16th.  Excused  from  duty  as  long  as  I  like,  and  took 
up  quarters  at  the  cotton-gin  among  a  heterogeneous 
mixture  of  human  beings.  Here  are  officers  with  stars, 


190  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  men  of  low  degree  and  darkies  in  profusion.  As  I 
remarked  awhile  ago,  the  boisterous,  coarse  fun  is  enough 
to  cure  one  of  all  common  ills,  so  I  began  to  get  well 
almost  immediately.  Horse  trading  is  as  much  the 
religion  here  as  Paul  Stickney  said  speculation  was  out 
West  in  earlier  times.  Several  of  the  drummer  boys,  Lu 
Perkins,  Graham  and  others,  indulge  in  the  fascination  of 
horse  trading.  No  boot  money  is  asked,  but  perhaps  a 
piece  of  the  bridle  or  some  part  of  the  saddle  is  demanded 
to  make  the  exchange  seem  more  natural,  then  they 
mount  and  ride  away.  If  a  darky  happens  along  a  little 
better  mounted  than  they,  woe  betide  him  unless  he  gives 
some  very  satisfactory  proof  that  he  is  some  field  officers' 
colored  boy;  if  his  story  is  shadowy,  then  he  must  shift, 
nolens  volens.  The  devilment  cut  up  on  the  officers' 
darkies  is  endless,  but  I  think  the  darky  enjoys  it  as 
well  as  anybody. 

"But  a  little  way  from  here  our  surgeon  has  appro 
priated  the  front  room  of  a  one-horse  planter's  house  for 
his  office.  The  doctor's  love  for  the  equine  race  has  here 
ample  scope.  The  yard  is  full  of  mustangs,  horses  and 
mules.  If  any  good  horse  is  heard  of  running  loose  with 
out  an  owner,  a  party  is  straightway  made  up  to  appro 
priate  him.  As  the  horse  fodder  grows  scarce  in  Port 
Hudson,  the  quadrupeds  are  led  out  during  the  night 
into  the  open  ground.  '  The  steed  comes  at  morning  — 
no  rider  is  there.'  Kind  hands  beckon  him  away  from 
gunshot,  and  if  he  has  a  good  ear  and  looks  like  the  old  one, 
then  somebody  changes  saddles  and  he  is  put  to  service. 

"The  plantation  where  the  surgeon  has  located  retains 
its  pristine  purity,  the  old  colored  folks  are  at  home  as 
they  were  before  the  war,  and  so  far  as  I  saw  they  might 
have  been  here  when  De  Soto  paddled  his  canoe  on  these 
waters;  no  one  doubts  that  the  age  of  one  old  couple  was 
quite  near  five  hundred.  They  all  live  in  log  houses  with 
wooden  windows,  and  the  whole  arrangement  is  of  the 
most  primitive  style. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  191 

"  17th.  Preparations  are  going  forward  for  another 
assault.  There  are  stirring  calls  for  volunteers  to  make 
up  a  storming  party.  Under  a  flag  of  truce,  detachments 
of  the  two  armies  met  to-day  on  middle  ground  to  bury 
the  dead  of  last  Sunday.  The  rebels  would  not  allow  us 
to  go  nearer  than  a  certain  line,  so  they  brought  out  our 
dead  for  burial.  If  this  duty  could  have  been  done  two 
days  ago  many  would  have  been  found  alive,  but  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  bodies  one  only  showed  signs  of  life; 
very  many  had  lived  a  long  time,  as  was  evident  by  the 
appearance  of  their  surroundings.  In  some  cases  they 
had  tied  their  handkerchiefs  above  the  wounds  and  made 
twists  with  their  bayonets,  forming  what  is  termed  in 
medical  parlance  a  tourniquet,  thus  stopping  the  flow  of 
blood.  But  the  extreme  heat  was  too  much  for  nature. 
Decay  had  commenced,  and  the  most  sickening  sight  to 
be  conceived  of  was  here  beheld.  A  deep  trench  was  dug, 
and  they  were  all  buried  in  a  nameless  grave.  For  the 
hour  all  hostilities  ceased,  and  Confederates  and  Federals 
hobnobbed  together  like  old  friends.  Mementoes  were 
exchanged,  and  the  bloody  undergarment  was  entirely 
hid  by  good-fellowship,  then  they  shook  hands  and  went 
back  to  their  guns. 

"20th.  Back  to  camp;  on  our  way  we  met  General 
Banks,  who  greeted  us  with  a  'Good  morning,  boys/  and 
a  happy  smile.  We  smiled  and  parted. 

"It  often  happens  to  us  nine-months  men  that  a  three- 
years  one  will  ask  us,  as  one  did  to-day,  'Are  you  a  sol 
dier,  or  a  nine-months  man?'  While  resting  in  the 
shade  he  also  sarcastically  inquired  why  we  did  not  take 
our  bounty  and  buy  a  mule.  We  generously  offered  to 
buy  him  some  soap  if  he  would  solemnly  promise  to  use 
it  on  his  person.  This  caused  bad  feeling,  and  we  parted. 

"We  have  been  so  long  away  from  quartermaster's 
stores  that  a  more  ragged  set  of  men  never  were  seen. 
That  company  that  Falstaff  would  n't  march  through 
Coventry  were  well  dressed  men  compared  with  these. 


192  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

So  long  as  there  is  anything  to  tie  to,  we  manage  to  be 
presentable.  A  youthful  friend  of  mine,  whose  father 
used  to  have  in  charge  the  finances  of  Massachusetts, 
does  his  duty  with  bare  feet,  and  I  doubt  not  that  in 
years  to  come  it  will  be  said  of  him,  as  of  our  sires  of 
seventy-six,  'his  footsteps  were  marked  with  his  blood.' 
The  ingenuity  displayed  to  cover  the  nakedness  is  worthy 
of  great  praise;  such  economy  must  eventuate  in  riches. 

' '  The  siege  progresses  slowly  but  steadily ;  gradually  the 
approaches  to  the  rebel  earthworks  are  growing  nearer; 
before  many  weeks  we  shall  have  fortifications  equal  to 
theirs  and  men  enough  to  drive  them  out.  The  engineers 
are  each  day  running  out  new  lines. 

"To-day  Captain  Roby  of  the  U.S.  Engineers  with  an 
assistant  was  laying  out  some  new  works  within  a  few 
rods  of  our  camp.  They  passed  in  by  us,  leaving  their 
horses  outside.  In  less  than  ten  minutes  he  was  brought 
out  shot  through  the  body,  and  died  just  as  they  reached 
our  stopping  place.  Our  place  of  residence  is  now  in  a 
mine,  and  we  feel  as  secure  from  rebel  shot  as  we  should 
at  home. 

"June  25.  We  are,  four  of  us,  living  in  a  coop  built 
on  three  sides  with  open  daylight,  the  remainder  is  of  solid 
earth-covering,  brush  and  moonshine.  The  vicissitudes 
of  change  and  natural  wear  and  tear  have  reduced  our 
cooking  and  kitchen  utensils  to  three  plates,  two  tin 
dippers,  a  knife,  a  fork  and  a  spoon.  The  main  portion 
of  our  living  is  hard-tack  with  sugar.  At  intervals  the 
cook  draws  a  ration  of  rice,  which  is  considered  one  of  the 
luxuries,  and  likely  to  produce  effeminacy;  so  after  the 
rice  come  two  days'  rations  of  hog,  and  ye  gods,  what 
hogs  they  must  have  been  when  wallowing  in  their  native 
mire!  This  diet  is  not  calculated  to  increase  the  animal 
propensities,  but  otherwise;  consequently  a  general  played- 
out  feeling  is  manifest  and  the  company  is  reduced  to  a 
handful  of  men,  and  this  handful  is  not  over-ambitious. 

"  To-day  the  Johnnies  woke  up  and  threw  a  few  hot 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  193 

shot  over  and  set  some  of  the  cotton  breastworks  on  fire. 
Our  side  threw  back  some  of  the  same  sort,  and  blew  up  a 
caisson,  and  other  things  then  and  there  did.  This  has 
changed  the  noiseless  tenor  of  our  way  and  gives  us  some 
thing  to  talk  of  besides  the  everlasting  growl,  and  the 
statement  of  Vicksburg  being  taken,  and  that  General 
Grant  is  coming  down  to  aid  us  in  taking  Port  Hudson. 
This  little  episode  helps  to  pass  the  long  days  away.  We 
welcome  anything  that  breaks  the  monotony.  It  was  in 
the  long  days  of  June,  I  think,  when  Wallace  the  younger 
sawed  and  split  one  cord  of  wood  in  six  hours;  by  the 
same  line  of  argument  he  could  perform  the  same  amount 
of  labor  in  just  half  the  time  out  here.  Some  of  the  days 
are  over  a  week  long,  speaking  after  the  manner  of  men. 
The  expedients  resorted  to  to  pass  away  time  are  various 
and  original. 

"To  the  28th.  As  the  time  approaches  for  mustering 
for  our  three  months'  pay,  I  am  requested  to  go  to  the  rear 
and  make  out  the  pay  rolls.  With  the  greatest  pleasure 
I  fall  back,  happy  to  have  something  to  do  to  take  up  the 
time,  writing  at  the  surgeon's  quarters  with  board  and 
lodgings  at  the  gin  house. 

"The  old  seedy  son  of  the  South  who  owns  this  planta 
tion  is  a  facsimile  of  every  other  body  who  owns  other 
property :  clothes  of  black  but  extremely  threadbare  and 
glossy  with  age,  hat  to  match  but  much  out  of  season. 
Somebody  gave  '  three  and  a  half  for  the  old  one '  and  the 
cotton  planter  got  the  old  one.  His  horse,  buggy  and 
harness  had  outlived  their  youth  and  beauty  long  before 
he  even  thought  his  peculiar  institution  would  be  over 
run  with  northern  vandals.  All  his  able-bodied  hands 
had  gone  and  left  him.  Uncle  Tom,  Chloe  and  Topsy 
remained  and  so  did  some  of  the  elder  of  the  children. 
They  manage  to  scrape  together  a  living  and  so  they  stay. 

"  Monday,  28th.  A  strict  Sabbatarian  would  find  little 
this  morning,  and  in  the  scene  before  us  see  little  upon 
which  to  feast  his  soul.  Sit  down  there  upon  that  pile  of 


194  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

cotton,  my  theological  friend,  and  look  this  thing  over 
just  as  we  find  it.  As  far  as  one  can  see  to  the  north  and 
east  nothing  is  visible  but  a  vast  field  of  growing  corn. 
A  general  highway  from  somewhere  to  somewhere  runs 
through  it,  directly  by  this  cotton-gin.  Long  trains  of 
wagons  are  constantly  passing  and  repassing,  and  their 
white  coverings  are  seen  far  in  the  distance.  Droves  of 
cavalry  horses  come  down  the  road,  pass  to  the  ravine 
to  water  and  return.  Strings  of  artillery  teams  with 
slow  and  measured  tread  move  along  past,  sometimes 
stopping  to  feed  from  the  green  corn.  All  over  the  fields, 
wagons  are  being  loaded  with  this  fodder  to  feed  out  to 
the  cattle.  The  hay  crop  is  all  exhausted,  and  so  they 
fall  back  on  this  plant. 

"A  brigade  commander  followed  by  his  staff  will  dash 
by  seemingly  intent  on  striking  a  fatal  blow  on  some 
portion  of  this  rebellion,  but  probably  more  interested  to 
find  entertainment  for  man  and  beast.  This  staff  is 
made  up  of  all  sorts:  here  is  a  bold  soldier,  just  the  man  to 
lead  up  to  the  cannon's  mouth,  and  then  seek  a  bauble 
reputation;  while  alongside  rides  a  sweet-scented  pinky 
posy,  this  morning  taken  out  of  the  top  drawer  where  he 
laid  last  night,  so  white  and  smooth  he  looks.  His  father 
has  influence  at  court,  and  it  runs  in  the  family  to  eat 
from  the  public  crib.  When  this  cruel  war  is  over  this 
noble  youth  will  be  brevetted  for  meritorious  service  in 
the  field  and  will  be  rewarded  with  a  sinecure  in  some 
custom  house,  where  he  will  be  required  to  call  around 
quarterly  to  draw  his  salary. 

"In  and  around  this  castle  of  ours  are  negroes  cooking 
meals  for  their  officers,  men  cooking  for  themselves, 
horses  hitched,  some  'saddled  and  bridled  all  fit  for  a 
fight.'  One  I  noticed,  a  mule,  owned  by  Colonel  Messer's 
colored  boy,  was  hitched  by  his  tail  to  a  horse  cultivator, 
without  the  consent  of  the  mule  or  the  knowledge  of  the 
owner.  Both  made  objections  and  it  resulted  in  a  gen 
eral  smash  up. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  195 

"The  regiment  has  moved  to  different  quarters,  and 
sleeps  under  the  broad  heavens.  Changes  are  so  frequent 
that  no  attempts  are  made  to  build  shelters.  This 
morning  General  Banks,  through  General  Dudley,  re 
quested  the  presence  of  the  field  and  staff  of  the  50th 
at  Dudley's  headquarters.  We  privates  were  consider 
ably  interested  to  know  the  result.  After  some  time 
Captain  Barnes  returned  and  all  were  on  tiptoe. 
General  Banks  says  that  his  army  is  largely  made  up  of 
nine-months  men,  and  to  let  them  go  home  on  time 
would  leave  him  without  an  army,  and  all  that  has  been 
done  would  be  lost,  therefore  we  must  stay  until  some 
move  is  made  by  the  army,  or  government  sends  others 
to  take  our  places.  General  Dudley  says:  'For  God's 
sake,  boys,  don't  rebel  and  make  fools  of  yourselves,  as 
a  certain  regiment  has,  and  disgrace  the  old  Bay  State. 
Brace  up;  Port  Hudson  can't  hold  out  long.  Volunteer 
for  a  short  time,  and  I  am  a  happy  man.'  Dudley's 
style  and  manner  carried  the  day.  The  regiment  vol 
unteered  to  stay  until  Port  Hudson  surrendered,  and  as 
ours  is  the  only  nine-months  regiment  in  Dudley's 
brigade,  the  general  waxed  his  moustache  and  was  happy. 
So  when  Port  Hudson  surrenders  we  are  going  home, 
rah-rah-rah,  wide  awake! 

"Two  companies  I  saw  to-day  marched  to  the  rear 
without  their  arms,  disgraced.  They  thought  their  time 
was  out,  in  fact  rebelled;  that  was  how  it  happened. 
The  question  is  often  asked,  Where  are  all  the  books 
furnished  to  the  commission  gone  to?  good  books  for  the 
hungry  mind.  Net  even  one  can  be  had  for  love  or 
money. 

"Occasionally  somebody,  in  rummaging  over  an  old 
deserted  house,  will  find  an  old  almanac,  some  school- 
books  or  a  few  leaves  of  an  aged  magazine.  I  have  now 
a  school  reader;  in  it  are  extracts  from  Washington's 
farewell  address,  P.  Henry's  speech  and  the  like.  The 
most  stirring  paragraphs  are  marked  with  pencil,  showing 


196  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

that  the  fires  burned  in  the  hearts  of  those  yonkers  just 
as  they  did  in  days  long  gone,  when  we  used  to  spout 
about  the  horrors  of  slavery.  On  the  fly  leaf  John 
Henry  is  intending  marriage  with  Nancy  Ann,  and  we 
must  allow,  with  all  the  barbarism  of  slavery  and  its  sum 
of  villainies,  the  boys  and  girls  had  an  eye  to  the  future, 
just  as  essentially  as  they  do  among  the  higher  intel 
ligences  that  claim  nativity  in  Essex  County.  A  few 
leaves  of  a  very  old  'Lady's  Book'  strayed  into  camp; 
the  chapters  thirty-six  to  the  fortieth  were  there.  The 
famished  soul  read,  yea  devoured  all  about  the  cruel 
parent  and  devotion  of  Jennie,  but  whether  the  old  man 
relented,  and  'bless  you,  my  children,'  were  his  closing 
remarks,  or  he  died  game,  can  never  be  known  to  us. 

"A  fragment  of  the  Salem  Mercury  was  read  and  re 
read.  The  notices  therein  contained  names  of  persons, 
places  and  streets,  and  it  seemed  like  walking  and  talk 
ing  among  familiars.  Here  was  a  notice  that  Uncle 
Moses  Nelson's  will  would  be  presented  for  proof,  and 
Moses  Dorman,  Esq.,  was  named  as  executor.  This  in 
cident  brought  out  many  of  Uncle  Moses's  peculiarities, 
which  were  not  a  few,  and  his  invocation  at  the  neigh 
borhood  prayer  meetings.  His  original  way  of  putting 
things,  and  above  all  his  old-fashioned  honesty,  were 
told  by  us  who  knew  him  in  our  boyhood  days. 

"July  2.  The  march  of  improvement  and  progress  has 
made  another  opening  to  be  looked  after.  Earthworks 
have  been  thrown  up  almost  under  the  frowning  fortifi 
cations  of  Port  Hudson,  and  the  guns  of  Mack's  Black 
Horse  Battery  have  been  placed  in  position.  This  is 
considered  so  perilous  a  position  for  guns  that  a  large 
force  of  infantry  are  in  the  pits  surrounding  this  battery 
night  and  day.  A  deep  wide  trench  has  been  dug  from 
a  belt  of  woods  up  to  the  guns.  All  communications 
with  the  battery  and  outside  must  be  carried  on  through 
this  passage.  The  regiments  supporting  go  in  after  dark 
and  remain  until  nightfall  the  following  day. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  197 

"Here  we  sit  in  the  dirt  with  a  blazing  July  sun  pour 
ing  its  serenest  rays  upon  our  heads.  By  stretching  our 
blankets  across  and  holding  them  in  place  with  our 
bayonets  a  little  shelter  is  obtained;  the  sun  strikes  us 
enough  to  give  every  man  a  sunstroke.  If  one  straight 
ens  up  his  head  above  the  line  of  dirt  in  front,  this  is 
recognized  by  a  rebel,  who  shoots  his  rifle  at  it.  The  only 
variation  from  dirt  and  sweat  and  impatience  has  been 
for  somebody  to  hold  his  cap  upon  a  stick  to  draw  the 
fire  from  some  of  the  southern  chivalry. 

"During  the  day  the  cook  comes  to  the  edge  of  the 
woods,  and  in  squads  we  go  on  all  fours  to  the  right 
flank  and  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger.  It  appears 
that  this  is  the  most  important  and  the  most  exposed 
position,  consequently  around  it  centers  more  interest 
than  about  any  other  spot  in  this  siege.  Staff  officers 
and  orderlies  are  passing  in  every  few  minutes  with 
orders;  they  leave  their  horses  in  the  woods,  and  then 
on  all  fours  get  to  the  battery.  This  journey  leads  them 
over  us,  through  us  and  under  us,  and  they  always 
manage  to  knock  our  guns;  then  our  blanket  sunshades 
fall,  and  by  the  time  the  whole  thing  is  again  in  place 
some  one  of  them  comes  back,  and  then  it  is  repeated. 
As  we  have  to  work  under  difficulties,  having  a  whole 
some  dread  of  the  rebel  sharpshooters,  the  dirt  and  sweat 
mingle  and  plow  deep  furrows  down  our  bronzed  cheek; 
so  after  dark,  when  we  are  allowed  two  hours  to  stretch 
our  limbs,  Bradstreet  and  myself  take  to  the  bayou, 
and  then  take  Turkish  baths,  and  then  back  again.  Be 
fore  daybreak  we  are  released  and  others  take  our 
places.  To  compensate  for  this  we  have  the  whole  day 
and  night  to  rest  and  sleep. 

"July  3.  Although  we  knew  of  no  one  going  to  Baton 
Rouge,  yet  to-day  some  one  came  up,  and  a  few  letters 
from  home  got  to  us.  It  has  been  weeks  since  a  single 
word  has  reached  us  from  the  North.  We  hear  that 
R.  D.  Merrill  and  George  M.  Boynton  have  passed  away. 


198  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

I  am  strongly  of  the  opinion  that,  if  it  is  possible,  the 
better  way  is  for  all  to  leave  Baton  Rouge  and  camp  up 
here  in  the  woods.  The  rations  issued  to  a  convalescent 
camp  are  next  to  nothing;  their  duties  are  about  the 
same.  Such  inactivity  of  body  and  mind  would  kill  a 
well  man. 

"  July  4.  This  day  was  celebrated  much  after  the  wish 
of  the  senior  Adams.  A  national  salute  was  fired  morn 
ing,  noon  and  night.  Some  of  the  picket  guard  was 
within  talking  distance  of  the  rebel  earthworks.  These 
same  rebels  thought  that  Johnston  was  coming  to  their 
relief  and  had  commenced  an  attack  upon  our  forces. 
With  a  good  deal  of  emphasis  they  were  told  just  what 
the  matter  was.  A  little  duty  is  required  of  the  army 
to-day,  as  it  is  requisite  for  safety.  I  am  sorry  to  put 
down  that  some  indulged  in  the  flowing  bowl,  but  did 
not  get  in  the  lock-up.  Our  dissipation  was  confined  to 
a  sheet  of  gingerbread  and  a  bottle  of  cider.  The  manu 
facture  of  this  apple  juice  is  worthy  of  the  consideration 
of  northern  philanthropists.  Dried  apples  are  soaked  in 
water  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  the  liquid  is  bottled 
and  sold  to  we  uns.  How  much  of  it  will  fuddle  a  man 
I  have  never  been  able  to  learn;  some  say  three  barrels. 
I  have  seen  folks  drink  until  it  run  out  of  their  mouths, 
slopped  over  so  to  speak,  and  yet  would  take  another 
glass,  I  thank  you.  I  feel  obliged  to  make  this  explana 
tion,  for  the  day  we  left  Georgetown  for  Camp  Stanton 
all  signed  the  pledge  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  intoxi 
cants,  except  as  a  beverage  or  when  ordered  by  the  sur 
geon.  With  pride  I  point  to  our  record. 

"A  few  prisoners  celebrated  their  independence  by 
escaping  from  durance  vile.  They  dug  down  through  the 
solid  earth  underneath  their  prison  house,  thence  on  an 
angle  turned  toward  the  river,  and  came  into  daylight. 
The  bluff  at  this  port  is  extremely  high,  and  they  were  all 
right,  watching  their  chance  to  slip  the  guard.  A  few 
minutes  brought  them  into  our  lines.  The  destitution 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  199 

among  the  soldiers  and  inhabitants  of  Port  Hudson  is 
extreme.  They  cannot  hold  out  much  longer.  The 
courage  of  the  rank  and  file  is  kept  up  by  printed  docu 
ments  that  are  struck  off  every  few  days  —  for  they  have 
the  luxury  of  a  printing  press  —  stating  that  Grant  is  on 
the  point  of  abandoning  Vicksburg,  then  General  Pem- 
berton  will  come  down  and  drive  us  away  and  release 
them.  Another  day  something  equally  encouraging  will 
be  announced  by  bulletins,  and  thus  whistling  they  keep 
courage  up.  These  accounts  raise  our  spirits,  as  we  know 
Grant  does  n't  leave  Vicksburg  without  taking  the  best 
part  of  it  with  him,  and  starvation  will  drive  our  oppo 
nents  into  a  surrender  before  many  days. 

"5th  and  6th.  Another  day  in  the  rifle  pits,  and  day 
of  refreshment  and  rest.  Jonah  was  three  days  and  three 
nights  in  the  whale's  belly  —  although  he  called  whale 
by  another  name  —  but  anyway  it  was  a  whale  of  a  story. 
Now  these  Jonahs  think  this  pit  and  this  sun  are  about  as 
bad  to  endure  as  anything  that  that  ' ancient  mariner' 
went  through  with,  and  both  parties  leave  their  confined 
quarters  with  equal  zeal  and  haste.  This  last  day  has 
been  extremely  fine,  the  cheerful  breeze  stirred  the  leaves 
—  that 's  poetry  —  and  under  the  huge  old  trees  we  slept 
away  almost  the  whole  twenty-four  hours. 

"7th.  This  morning  certain  news  of  the  fall  of  Vicks 
burg,  and  no  discount.  Each  regiment  was  drawn  up  in 
line,  and  the  pleasant  announcement  was  made  and  par 
ticulars  read  —  please  see  small  bills :  Twenty-seven 
thousand  prisoners.  One  hundred  and  twenty-eight 
pieces  of  light  artillery  and  eighty  siege  guns.  The  wild 
enthusiasm  cannot  be  described.  Everybody  was  bub 
bling  over  with  happiness.  Grant  sends  greetings  to 
Banks.  Communication  is  opened  on  the  river,  and  the 
end  is  not  far.  We  close  up  this  little  affair  without  any 
further  trouble.  General  Banks  took  measures  to  inform 
General  Gardner,  commandant  of  Port  Hudson,  of  the 
exact  condition  of  things  at  Vicksburg,  and  the  folly  of 


200  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

his  longer  holding  out.  All  the  afternoon  couriers  have 
been  riding  back  and  forth,  all  kinds  of  stories  and  rumors 
are  flying  through  the  camp;  everybody  is  gushing,  and 
night  finds  us  a  happy  family,  for  we  are  quite  sure  within 
ten  days  we  shall  control  Port  Hudson;  and  the  Mississippi 
River  is  ours  from  the  Gulf  to  the  Northern  Lights. 
*  Lurid  fires  at  dead  of  night'  burned  in  Port  Hudson; 
we  were  near  enough  to  hear  the  outbreaks,  and  the  calls 
to  quell  them. 

"  July  8.  'Coming  events  cast  their  shadows  before.' 
Open  rebellion  ran  riot  in  Port  Hudson  last  night.  All 
discipline  was  apparently  lost,  and  an  army  of  demoral 
ized,  disheartened  and  conquered  soldiery  held  the  reins 
through  the  night.  At  intervals  we  could  distinctly  hear 
the  bugle  call,  the  parley,  which  showed  that  mutiny  was 
rife.  This  morning  a  cessation  of  hostilities  was  asked, 
and  diplomatic  finesse,  hedging  and  bluffing  to  see  who 
could  get  the  best  of  it,  continued  until  the  latter  part  of 
the  day,  when  it  was  told  us  that  Port  Hudson  had  uncon 
ditionally  surrendered.  Imagine  all  the  pent-up  enthusi 
asm  of  thousands  of  men,  who  had  been  watching  and 
waiting  for  weeks  and  months  for  this  moment;  imagine 
anything  and  everything,  but  the  reality  can  never  be 
described.  It  is  one  of  these  occasions  that  must  be  seen; 
the  lame  leap;  the  halt  step  off  at  a  two-forty  gait;  the 
weak  grow  strong;  the  gloomy  and  despondent  turn  up 
the  corners  of  their  mouths,  preliminary  to  a  feeble  smile. 
Before  dark  blue  and  gray  meet  on  middle  ground  and 
commence  trading  jack-knives,  and  tell  how  well  they 
love  everybody.  Such  a  love  feast  was  never  seen 
before. 

"  With  so  much  to  reflect  upon  —  present  and  future  — 
our  hard-tack  and  coffee  are  sweeter  than  the  nectar  of 
the  gods  and  no  bed  of  roses  equaled  mother  earth. 
Such  a  happy  combination  of  circumstances  was  too  much 
for  regular  sleep,  and  the  night  passed  and  morning 
broke." 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  201 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  7,  1863.     11  A.M. 
My  dear  General:    Your  most  gratifying  dispatch  (4th  instant) 
has  just  been  received,   announcing  the  surrender  of  Vicksburg. 
I  beg  you  to  accept  my  hearty  congratulations.     It  is  the  most 
inportant  event  of  the  war,  and  will  contribute  most  to  the  estab 
lishment  of  the  government. 

The  freedom  of  the  Mississippi  puts  an  end  to  the  Rebellion, 
so  far  as  an  independent  Confederacy  is  concerned.  There  is  no 
room  for  an  independent  government  between  the  Mississippi  and 
the  Atlantic.  Port  Hudson  will  be  in  our  possession  before  the  close 
of  this  week.  The  Army  of  the  Gulf  sends  its  congratulations  to 
the  gallant  and  successful  troops  of  your  command.  Salutes  will 
be  fired  at  noon  from  the  batteries  on  the  right,  left  and  center  of 
our  lines,  hi  honor  of  the  fall  of  Vicksburg. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  General,  with  highest  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Maj.-Gen.  U.  S.  GRANT, 

Commanding  at  Vicksburg. 

Correspondence  between  General  Banks,  U.S.A.,  and 
General  Gardner,  C.S.A.: 

HEADQUARTERS  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  July  7. 
General:    Having  received   information   from  your  troops  that 
Vicksburg  has  been  surrendered,  I  make  this  communication  to 
ask  you  to  give  me  the  official  assurance  whether  this  is  true  or 
not,  and  if  true,  I  ask  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities  with  a  view  to 
the  consideration  of  terms  for  surrendering  this  position. 
I  am,  General,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 
Major-General  Commanding  C.S.  Forces. 
To  Major-General  BANKS, 

Commanding  U.S.  Forces  near  Port  Hudson. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8. 

General:  In  reply  to  your  communication  of  the  7th  instant,  by 
flag  of  truce,  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  I  received  yester 
day  morning  an  official  dispatch  from  Maj.-Gen.  Ulysses  S.  Grant, 
United  States  Army,  whereof  the  following  is  a  true  extract: 


202  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

"HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  TENNESSEE, 

NEAR  VICKSBURG,  July  4. 

General:  The  garrison  of  Vicksburg  surrendered  this 
morning,  the  number  of  prisoners  is  27,000;  field  artillery, 
128  pieces;  and  about  eighty  siege  guns. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

U.  S.  GRANT, 

To  Maj.-Gen.  N.  P.  BANKS,  Major  General. 

Commanding  Department  of  the  Gulf." 


I  regret  to  say  that,  under  present  circumstances,  I  cannot  con 
sistently  with  my  duty  consent  to  a  cessation  of  hostilities  for  the 
purposes  you  indicate. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
To  Maj.-Gen.  FRANK  GARDNER, 

Commanding  C.S.  Forces,  Port  Hudson. 


PORT  HUDSON,  July  8. 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
communication.  Having  defended  this  position  as  long  as  I  deem 
my  duty  requires,  I  am  willing  to  surrender  to  you,  and  will  appoint 
a  committee  of  three  officers  to  meet  a  similar  commission  appointed 
by  yourself  at  nine  o'clock  this  morning,  for  the  purpose  of  agreeing 
upon,  and  drawing  up  the  terms  of  surrender,  and  for  that  purpose 
I  ask  for  a  cessation  of  hostilities.  Will  you  please  designate  a 
point  outside  of  my  breastworks  where  the  meeting  shall  be  held 
for  this  purpose? 

I  am  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

FRANK  GARDNER, 

To  Major-General  BANKS,  Commanding  C.S.  Forces. 

Commanding  U.S.  Forces. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  7,  1863. 

General:   The  commanding  general  directs  that  the  following  be 
communicated  for  your  information  and  guidance: 

General  Gardner  has  just  requested  the  commanding  general 
to  give  him  "  official  assurance  "  whether  Vicksburg  has  surrendered 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  203 

or  not;  and  if  true,  he  asks  a  cessation  of  hostilities  to  enable  him 
to  consider  terms  for  surrendering  Port  Hudson. 

The  commanding  general  has  replied  that  a  cessation  of  hos 
tilities  is  impossible,  but,  nevertheless,  he  desires  that  all  active 
demonstrations  on  your  part  shall  cease  until  further  orders  from 
these  headquarters. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

CHARLES  A.  HARTWELL, 

Brig.-Gen.  C.  GROVER,  Lieutenant  and  Aide-de-Camp. 

Commanding,  etc. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  General  Gardner  has 
offered  to  surrender,  and  at  his  request  a  commission,  to  consist 
of  three  officers  designated  by  me,  will  meet  a  similar  committee 
on  his  part,  at  our  lines  at  nine  A.M.  to-day,  to  draw  up  the  terms 
of  surrender. 

I  have  directed  that  active  hostilities  shall  entirely  cease  until 
further  orders  for  this  purpose. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
Rear-Admiral  D.  G.  FARRAGUT,  U.S.  Navy, 
Commanding  Lower  Fleet. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF,  19ra  A.C., 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863.     2  P.M. 
Sir:  The  articles  of  surrender  are  signed  at  two  P.M. 

1.  The  enemy  surrenders  everything. 

2.  We  respect  private  property. 

3.  Officers  and  soldiers  not  paroled. 

4.  We  take  care  of  the  sick. 
March  in  at  five  P.M. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

General:  Please  designate  two  regiments  of  your  division  to  go 
in  with  the  occupying  force  at  five  o'clock,  and  order  them  to 


204  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

report  immediately  at  the  opening  in  front  of  General  Augur's. 
Keep  the  rest  of  your  command  in  hand,  encamp  it  comfortably, 
and  take  stringent  measures  to  repress  straggling. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Brig.-Gen.  W.  DWIGHT, 

Commanding,  etc. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 
BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

My  dear  Sir:    Port  Hudson  surrendered  to-day,  substantially 
without  conditions.     We  shall  be  compelled,   however,   to  parole 
a  greater  part  of  the  men.     They  called  for  6,000  rations.     The 
ceremony  of  rendition  takes  place  at  seven  to-morrow. 
I  am  very  truly  yours, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

Rear-Admiral  D.  G.  FARRAGUT, 

Commanding  Fleet,  etc. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

Sir:  The  commissioners  have  agreed  to  occupy  the  place  at  seven 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning  instead  of  five  this  evening. 
Very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Gen.  B.  H.  GRIERSON, 

Commanding  Cavalry. 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

My  dear  Sir:  The  officers  to  meet  those  appointed  by  General 
Gardner  upon  the  subject  of  the  terms  of  surrender  were  necessarily 
named  as  soon  as  his  communication  was  received,  otherwise  I  should 
have  very  gladly  acted  upon  your  suggestion.  Unless  a  different 
course  is  suggested  by  the  officers  representing  the  garrison,  I 
shall  designate  you  as  the  officer  to  receive  the  surrender  of  General 
Gardner.  I  will  notify  you  of  the  result  as  soon  as  it  is  ascertained. 

I  shall  expect  your  brigade  to  move  at  once  to  Lafourche.  I 
will  review  the  troops  in  Port  Hudson  to-day,  and  then  prepare 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  205 

for  the  close  of  the  campaign,  which  has  lasted  without  intermission 
for  four  months  from  this  day.     It  began  the  8th  of  March. 
Very  truly  yours, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

P.S.  I  shall  name  of  the  most  deserving  regiments  eight  or  ten 
to  occupy  and  garrison  the  fort  as  soon  as  surrendered.  Will  you 
name  some  most  entitled  to  honor  in  your  division? 

General  WEITZEL. 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863.     2.30  P.M. 
Dear  General:  I  am' sorry  you  do  not  accept  the  surrender.     You 
seem  to  be  more  closely  identified  with  the  whole  campaign  than 
any  other  officer.     The  articles  are  signed: 

1.  The  enemy  surrendering  everything. 

2.  We  respect  private  property. 

3.  Officers  and  soldiers  not  paroled. 

The  regiments  asked  for  are  only  as  witnesses  to  the  act  of  rendi 
tion.  The  transports  will  be  ready  to  take  your  troops  to-night 
to  Donaldsonville.  You  will  lead  the  advance.  Nine-months 
regiments  only  will  remain.  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  you  this  evening. 
It  is  reported  from  the  upper  fleet  that  Hooker  is  superseded  by 
General  Meade.  No  enemy  between  this  and  Baton  Rouge. 

Very  truly  yours, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 
General  WEITZEL. 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF,  19TH  A.C., 

BEFORE  PORT  HUDSON,  July  8,  1863. 

SPECIAL  ORDERS, 
No.  164. 

I.  The  following-named  regiments,  having  but  a  brief  time  to 
serve,  are  detached  from  the  divisions  to  which  they  belong;  will 
concentrate  in  front  of  General  Augur's  position  on  the  main  road, 
march  into  Port  Hudson  at  nine  o'clock  to-morrow  morning,  and 
report  to  the  commanding  officer  of  the  post.  They  will,  for  the 
present,  constitute  part  of  the  garrison  for  that  post. 

From  the  1st  Division,  50th  Massachusetts;  from  the  2d  Division, 
26th  Connecticut,  24th  Maine;  from  the  3d  Division,  4th  Massa 
chusetts;  from  the  4th  Division,  22d  Maine,  52d  Massachusetts, 
26th  Maine. 


206  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

II.  Major-General  Augur  will  embark  his  division,  excepting 
the  two  regiments  detailed  to  accompany  the  occupying  force,  on 
the  transports  at  Point  Pleasant  Landing  at  five  o'clock  to-morrow 
morning  with  two  days'  rations  in  haversacks,  and  three  days' 
additional,  and  a  full  supply  of  ammunition.  The  two  regiments 
detailed  to  accompany  the  occupying  force  will  go  fully  prepared 
to  embark  on  transports  as  soon  as  the  ceremony  of  rendition  is 
over.  Brigadier-General  Grover  will  send  a  brigade  to  Plains'  store 
to-night  to  relieve  Colonel  Dudley's  brigade.  Colonel  Dudley  will 
take  up  the  line  of  march  at  four  A.M. 

By  COMMAND  OF  MAJOR-GENERAL  BANKS. 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 
NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

PORT  HUDSON,  July  10,  1863. 

General:  The  commanding  general  directs  that  all  the  enlisted 
men  and  citizens,  employees  of  the  enemy's  forces  captured  at 
this  post,  be  released  upon  giving  their  parole  in  triplicate  upon 
the  enclosed  forms. 

One  copy  of  the  individual  parole,  signed  by  the  man  himself, 
his  regimental  commander,  and  the  paroling  officer  of  our  army, 
will  be  delivered  to  the  regimental  commanders  at  the  time  of 
parolment  for  distribution  to  the  men.  One  copy  of  the  consoli 
dated  parole  rolls,  signed  by  each  man,  by  Major-General  Gardner, 
and  by  the  paroling  officer,  will  be  retained,  and  transmitted  by 
you  to  these  headquarters.  One  copy  of  the  consolidated  rolls, 
similarly  signed,  to  be  handed  to  General  Gardner.  The  con 
solidated  list  to  be  verified  by  roll  call.  The  Louisiana  troops  will 
be  paroled  first  in  order,  furnished  with  five  days'  rations,  and 
permitted  to  march  out  of  our  lines  under  escort,  and  go  to  their 
homes.  The  other  troops  will  be  paroled  as  rapidly  as  possible, 
and  disposed  of  as  may  be  hereafter  directed. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Brig.-Gen.  GEORGE  L.  ANDREWS, 

Commanding  Post  of  Port  Hudson. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  207 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF, 
NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS, 

PORT  HUDSON,  July  12,  1863. 

General:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your 
note  of  the  llth  instant.  The  paroled  troops  will  be  conducted 
past  the  lines  of  this  army,  with  such  supplies  as  may  be  deemed 
necessary  for  their  use.  Their  destination  must  be  determined 
by  themselves.  It  is  not  deemed  expedient  to  enter  upon  any 
stipulation  as  to  the  course  to  be  pursued  by  the  government  in 
case  any  of  the  paroled  prisoners  should  hereafter  choose  to  remain 
within  the  lines  of  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

Very  respectfully,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

Maj.-Gen.  FRANK  GARDNER, 

C.S.  Army. 


C.S.A.  Lieut.  James  Freret: 

"Some  of  the  splendid  Parrott  guns  of  an  Indiana 
regiment  were  taken  across  the  river  and  put  in  bat 
tery  there.  They  dismounted  three  of  our  guns,  split 
ting  a  rifled  32-pounder  on  the  5th  of  July,  knocking 
the  trunnion  of  an  8-inch  howitzer  on  the  morning  of 
the  6th,  and  permanently  disabling  a  rifled  24-pounder 
on  the  evening  of  the  same  day.  This  artillery  practice 
was  probably  equal  if  not  superior  to  anything  which 
has  ever  been  accomplished  of  the  kind,  the  distance 
being  from  1,000  to  1,400  yards  (about  three-quarters  of 
a  mile).  Many  of  our  broken  guns  were,  for  an  emer 
gency,  braced  up  on  blocks  and  loaded  with  bags  of  all 
sorts  of  scrap  iron  which  were  to  be  fired  in  the  face  of 
a  storming  party,  it  being  of  little  consequence  whether 
the  disabled  guns  were  good  for  another  discharge  or  not. 

"July  7.  During  the  forenoon  the  Federals  called  out 
to  our  men  that  Vicksburg  had  surrendered  on  the  4th. 
That  night  a  council  of  war  was  held  at  General  Gard 
ner's  headquarters,  which  was  protracted  until  two  A.M. 


208  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

On  the  8th  the  situation  of  Port  Hudson  was  well  worthy 
serious  consideration.  It  was  forty-eight  days  since  the 
virtual  beginning  of  the  siege,  and  a  fortified  position 
constructed  for  a  garrison  of  twenty  thousand  men  had 
been  held  by  one-third  of  that  force  for  a  much  longer 
period  than  could  have  been  expected  by  our  forces 
outside.  At  the  hour  above  named  General  Gardner 
sent  to  General  Banks,  by  a  flag  of  truce,  for  confirmation 
of  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  which  was  accorded  him." 

Confederate  account  continued: 

"At  nine  A.M.  on  the  8th,  General  Gardner  dispatched 
commissioners  to  treat  for  surrender  of  the  post.  They 
returned  in  the  afternoon  with  the  following  terms  of 
unconditional  surrender,  which  were  agreed  to  and 
signed. 

ARTICLE  1.  Maj.-Gen.  Frank  Gardner  to  surrender  to  the 
United  States  forces  under  Major-General  Banks  the  place  of  Port 
Hudson  and  its  dependencies,  with  its  garrison,  armament,  mu 
nitions,  public  funds,  and  material  of  war,  in  the  condition  as  nearly 
as  may  be  in  which  they  were  at  the  hour  of  cessation  of  hostilities, 
viz.,  six  A.M.,  July  8,  1863. 

ART.  2.  The  surrender  stipulated  in  Art.  1  is  qualified  by 
no  conditions  save  that  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  composing 
the  garrison  shall  receive  the  treatment  due  to  prisoners  of  war 
according  to  the  usages  of  civilized  warfare. 

ART.  3.  All  private  property  of  officers  and  enlisted  men  shall 
be  respected  and  left  to  their  respective  owners. 

ART.  4.  The  position  of  Port  Hudson  shall  be  occupied  to 
morrow  at  seven  A.M.  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  and  its 
garrison  received  as  prisoners  of  war  by  such  general  officers  of 
the  United  States  service  as  may  be  designated  by  Major-General 
Banks,  with  the  ordinary  formalities  of  rendition.  The  Confederate 
troops  will  be  drawn  up  in  line,  officers  in  their  positions,  the  right 
of  the  line  resting  on  the  edge  of  the  prairie  south  of  the  railroad 
depot,  the  left  extending  in  the  direction  of  the  village  of  Port 
Hudson.  The  arms  and  colors  will  be  conveniently  piled,  and 
will  be  received  by  the  officers  of  the  United  States. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  209 

ART.  5.     The  sick  and  wounded  of  the  garrison  will  be  cared 
for  by  the  authorities  of  the  United  States,  assisted,  if  desired  by 
either  party,  by  the  medical  officers  of  the  garrison. 
Approved: 

W.  R.  MILES, 

Commanding  Right  Wing,  C.S.A. 
T.  G.  W.  STEEDMAN, 

Commanding  Left  Wing,  C.S.A. 
M.  J.  SMITH, 

Lieut.-Col.  Heavy  Artillery,  C.S.A. 
CHARLES  P.  STONE, 

Brigadier-General,  U.S.A. 
W.  DWIGHT, 

Brigadier-General,  U.S. A . 
HENRY  W.  BIRGE, 

Col.  Commanding  3d  Brigade,  U.S.A. 

Grover's  Division,  U.S.A. 
Approved:  FRANK  GARDNER, 

M  a]  or-  General. 
N.  P.  BANKS, 

Major-  General . 

HEADQUARTERS,  PORT  HUDSON,  LA.,  July  8,  1863. 
GENERAL  ORDERS, 
No.  61. 

I.  Nobly  have  the  troops  performed  their  duty  in  the  defence 
of  this  position,  continued  from  the  21st  day  of  May  up   to   this 
time.     The  place  is  surrendered  at  the  last  moment  it  was  proper 
to  hold  it,  and  after  a  most  gallant  defence  in  several  severe  attacks. 
Let  all  continue,  during  the  duties  that  still  remain  to  be  performed, 
to  show  that  cheerful  obedience  which  has  distinguished  them  as 
soldiers  up  to  this  time. 

II.  The  troops  will  be  paraded  at  six  A.M.  to-morrow  for  sur 
render  in  line  of  battle  in  the  same  order  as  they  are  now  at  the 
breastworks,  with  the  heavy  artillery  on  the  right  in  the  edge  of 
the  prairie,  the  left  extending  towards  the  town  of  Port  Hudson. 
All  officers  and  men  will  be  in  their  places  under  arms. 

BY  COMMAND  OF  MAJ.-GEN.  FRANK  GARDNER. 

G.  N.  JACKSON, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


210  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

PUBLIC  RESOLUTION  No.  7. 

Resolved  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  the  thanks 
of  Congress  are  hereby  tendered  to  Maj.-Gen.  N.  P.  Banks,  and 
the  officers  and  soldiers  under  his  command,  for  the  skill,  courage 
and  endurance  which  compelled  the  surrender  of  Port  Hudson, 
and  thus  removed  the  last  obstruction  to  the  free  navigation  of 
the  Mississippi  River. 

Approved  Jan.  28,  1864. 

Banks  to  Halleck: 

PORT  HUDSON,  July  10,  1863. 

Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  with  the  post  there 
fell  into  our  hands  over  5,550  prisoners,  including  one  major 
general,  one  brigadier  general,  twenty  pieces  of  heavy  artillery, 
five  complete  batteries  numbering  thirty-one  pieces  of  field  artillery, 
a  good  supply  of  projectiles  for  light  and  heavy  guns,  44,000  pounds 
of  cannon  powder,  5,000  stand  of  small  arms,  150,000  rounds  of 
small  arms  ammunition,  besides  a  small  amount  of  stores  of  various 
kinds.  We  also  captured  two  steamers,  one  of  which  is  very  valu 
able.  Upon  the  surrender  I  found  it  necessary  to  send  all  available 
forces  to  open  and  preserve  communication  with  New  Orleans. 
I  was  also  compelled  to  garrison  this  post  by  the  nine-months 
regiments  whose  time  they  think  is  out,  and  the  colored  regiments. 
After  the  post  surrendered  unconditionally,  I  released  the  non 
commissioned  officers  and  privates  on  their  parole.  The  officers 
will  be  kept  in  confinement  until  further  orders.  Trusting  that 
my  course  will  be  approved, 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  most  obedient  servant, 

N.  P.  BANKS, 
Major-General  Commanding. 

July  9  was  a  memorable  day  in  the  history  of  the 
regiment.  Port  Hudson  had  surrendered  on  the  8th,  and 
on  the  morning  of  this  day  the  regiment  formed  in  column 
to  march  in  and  participate  in  the  formalities  of  sur 
render.  While  we  were  halted  by  the  roadside,  General 
Gardner,  attended  by  his  staff  and  a  troop  of  horse,  rode  past. 

After  some  delay  General  Dudley  reined  up  before  the 
regiment,  and,  after  it  had  been  formed  in  close  ranks, 
made  to  us  the  following  farewell  address:  "Men  of  the 
50th,  the  object  of  your  expedition  has  been  accom- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  211 

plished,  your  time  of  service  has  expired;  soon  you  will 
return  to  the  old  Bay  State.  With  the  remaining  regi 
ments  of  my  brigade  I  shall  immediately  go  on  board 
steamers,  having  been  ordered  below,  and  this  is  the  last 
time  I  shall  see  you  on  this  soil.  With  the  deepest  sin 
cerity  I  thank  you  for  your  uniform  good  conduct  while 
in  my  command,  and  I  congratulate  you  on  the  record 
you  have  made.  That  you  may  safely  return  to  your 
homes  and  enjoy  the  meeting  of  family  and  friends,  and 
in  the  days  to  come  pleasantly  and  fully  remember  this 
campaign,  is  the  heartfelt  wish  of  your  old  commander." 
"  Replacing  his  cap  and  waving  his  hand,  he  rode  the 
length  of  the  line,  and  as  cheer  after  cheer  went  up, 
again  waving  his  hand,  he  was  lost  to  sight." 

The  march  was  resumed;  in  a  few  minutes  the  sally 
port  was  entered,  the  line  of  fortifications  passed,  and 
what  remained  of  Port  Hudson  was  soon  exposed  to 
view.  The  defences  were  examined  with  the  greatest 
interest.  "Upon  the  tops  of  the  earthworks  bags  of 
sand  were  laid  crosswise,  leaving  between  each  bag  an 
aperture  large  enough  to  sight  the  gun,  and  on  top  of 
the  bags  a  huge  log  rested  lengthwise.  Here,  in  compara 
tive  safety,  the  men  could  load  and  fire  on  the  assaulting 
column.  In  every  few  rods  a  battery  was  placed  to  rake 
the  approaches  in  all  directions  with  grape  and  canister. 
At  least  fifty  rods  from  the  works  the  ground  had  been 
cleared  of  shelter."  Here  the  river  broke  upon  our  view, 
and  as  we  approached  the  church  the  entire  rebel  army 
was  drawn  up  in  line. 

A  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Times  wrote  a  very 
good  account  of  the  formality  of  the  surrender: 

"At  the  earliest  dawn  of  the  —  now  ever  memorable 

—  9th   of   July  the  whole  camp  was  necessarily  in  the 

highest   state   of   glee   and   commotion,    and   the   'Star 

Spangled  Banner/  'Yankee   Doodle'  and  'Dixie'  came 

borne  upon  the  morning  air  —  never  sounding  sweeter. 

"At  seven  o'clock  General  Andrews,  chief  of  the  staff 


212  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

of  General  Banks,  made  his  grand  entrance  into  the 
rebel  fortifications,  with  Colonel  Birge  leading  his  brave 
storming  column,  whose  noble  services  have  thus  been, 
happily  for  their  friends,  dispensed  with,  but  to  whom 
the  country  is  no  less  indebted,  taking  the  will  for  the 
deed.  These  were  followed  by  two  picked  regiments  from 
each  division,  with  Holcomb's  and  Rawles's  batteries 
of  light  artillery,  and  the  gunners  of  the  naval  battery. 

"The  rebels  were  drawn  up  in  line,  and  an  immense 
line  they  made,  their  officers  in  front  of  them  on  one  side 
of  the  road,  their  backs  to  the  river.  General  Gardner 
then  advanced  towards  General  Andrews,  and  in  a  few 
accompanying  words  offered  to  surrender  his  sword  with 
Port  Hudson;  but  General  Andrews  told  him  in  appre 
ciation  of  his  bravery,  however  misdirected,  he  was  at 
liberty  to  retain  his  sword.  Our  men  were  then  drawn 
up  in  two  lines  on  the  other  side  of  the  road,  opposite 
to  the  rebels,  and  our  officers  placed  themselves  in  front 
of  their  men.  General  Gardner  then  said  to  General 
Andrews,  'General,  I  will  now  formally  surrender  my 
command  to  you,  and  for  that  purpose  you  will  give  the 
orders  to  ground  arms.'  The  order  was  given  and  the 
arms  were  grounded. 

"  After  that  General  Andrews  sent  for  the  enemy's 
general  officers,  staff  and  field  officers.  The  line  officers 
were  left  with  their  companies  and  a  guard,  composed  of 
the  22d  Louisiana  and  75th  New  York,  placed  over 
them.  These  formalities  over,  the  glorious  old  flag  of 
the  Union  was  unfolded  to  the  breeze  from  one  of  the 
highest  bluffs  facing  the  river,  by  the  men  of  the  Rich 
mond,  a  battery  thundered  forth  its  salute,  which  rolled 
majestically  up  and  down  the  broad  surface  of  the 
Mississippi  —  and  Port  Hudson  was  ours." 

From  the  Port  Hudson  Freemen,  July  14,  1863: 

"Port  Hudson,  July  8.  This  place  was  unconditionally 
surrendered  this  morning,  and  Major-General  Gardner, 
General  Bealls,  Colonel  Miles  and  about  three  hundred 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  213 

other  officers,  besides  six  thousand  prisoners,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  Union  forces.  General  Banks  marched  in 
and  took  possession  on  the  9th. 

"The  number  of  rebel  soldiers  drawn  up  in  line  when 
the  surrender  took  place  was  about  four  thousand.  In 
addition  to  this  number,  there  were  about  fifteen  hun 
dred  sick  and  wounded;  the  wounded  numbered  about 
five  hundred.  The  wounds  are  generally  very  severe  in 
the  head,  and  by  the  bullets  of  sharpshooters. 

"The  United  States  flag  was  run  up  at  nine  o'clock  on 
Thurdsay  morning,  the  9th  instant,  and  was  saluted  by  the 
Hartford  as  she  passed.  There  had  been  terrible  sickness 
in  the  garrison,  and  almost  total  destitution  of  medicine. 
They  suffered  terribly  from  this  cause.  The  Arizona  was 
dispatched  to  Vicksburg  with  dispatches  from  Major-Gen 
eral  Banks  soon  after  the  surrender  was  completed,  and 
by  this  time  the  glorious  news  has  circulated  all  over  the 
North,  and  gladdened  the  hearts  of  all  true  patriots. 

"The  residences  in  Port  Hudson  village  are  in  a  de 
plorable  condition.  Every  building  that  we  have  noticed 
has  either  been  hit  with  shot  or  shell  and  completely 
riddled.  Even  the  church  edifice  did  not  escape.  It  is 
full  of  holes  made  by  the  balls,  and  the  shells  have  shat 
tered  it  considerably.  Carpenters  will  be  in  demand 
before  they  will  assume  their  wonted  shape.  All  of  them 
have  been  used  for  hospitals  or  a  place  for  commissary 
stores,  and  general  repair  and  reinvigorating  will  have  to 
do  their  share  before  they  will  be  healthy  and  comfort 
able  places  to  abide  in.  Such  is  war. 

"For  some  time  previous  to  the  surrender  of  Port  Hud 
son  the  rebel  garrison  subsisted  on  fresh  mule  and  horse 
meat.  In  order  to  make  this  hold  out  it  was  issued  by 
a  commissary;  also,  to  make  the  meal  last,  a  cob  was 
ground  with  it,  and  half  a  pound  allowed  to  each  man 
daily.  Even  this  was  about  exhausted  before  the  sur 
render  was  made.  The  above  is  vouched  for  by  officers 
and  men  with  whom  we  have  conversed." 


214  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


CHAPTER   XVII 

GARRISONING  PORT  HUDSON  —  THE  REGIMENT  EMBARK  ON 
THE  STEAMER  OMAHA  —  VOYAGE  UP  THE  RIVER  TO 
CAIRO JOURNEY  HOME 

AFTER  the  formal  surrender  had  taken  place  and 
the  men  were  allowed  to  break  ranks,  the  soldiers 
of  both  armies  mingled  together  in  the  most  cor 
dial  and  friendly  manner,  exhibiting  no  rancor  or  ill- 
feeling  on  the  one  side  or  the  other.  The  Confederates 
seemed  to  be  as  pleased  that  the  contest  was  over  as  the 
Federals,  and  it  was  difficult  to  realize  that  a  few  days 
before  they  had  been  arrayed  against  each  other  in  deadly 
conflict.  The  destructive  effect  of  our  artillery  fire  ap 
peared  on  every  side.  Buildings  were  demolished,  others 
riddled,  trees  shattered,  great  holes  torn  up  in  the  earth, 
and  the  carcasses  of  cattle  and  mules  were  strewn  about. 
Tents  were  soon  issued,  a  camp  formed,  and  during  the 
interval  until  July  28  the  men  were  required  to  drill, 
go  on  guard  and  have  dress  parade.  Several  of  the  regi 
ments,  including  the  50th,  were  organized  into  a  tempo 
rary  brigade  under  Colonel  Atwood. 

Diary  of  Corpl.  Henry  H.  Johnson,  Company  F: 
"July  11.  This  morning  I  was  pained  to  hear  of  the 
sudden  death  of  Wyman  D.  Jacobs  and  his  brother, 
Lieutenant  Jacobs,  of  the  26th  Connecticut.  Wyman 
died  Wednesday  morning,  8th  instant,  and  was  buried 
the  same  day.  Lieutenant  Jacobs  died  Sunday,  July  5. 
They  were  both  very  fine  men,  and  in  Wyman  I  have  lost 
my  best  friend  in  the  army.  Always  together  since  we 
enlisted,  everything  we  had  we  used  together,  and  since 
he  left  us  to  go  to  Baton  Rouge  I  have  missed  him  much. 
He  was  a  good  soldier,  always  ready  to  do  his  duty,  and 


IRA  HURD 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  F,  50th  Mass. 


JAMES  H.  RUNDLETT 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  K,  50th  Mass. 


WILLIAM  P.  DANIELS 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  H,  50th  Mass. 


ANDREW  F.  STOWE 
2d  Lieut.  Co.  G,  50th  Mass. 


GEORGE  H.  BLINN 
Corpl.  Co.  A,  50th  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  215 

loved  by  all  his  comrades.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  the 
27th  of  May  and  the  14th  of  June,  when  his  brother  was 
wounded.  I  remember  well  what  a  shock  it  was  to 
Wyman  when  he  heard  of  it.  He  never  recovered  his 
usual  spirits,  always  anxious  for  his  brother's  welfare. 
Little  did  I  think,  when  I  left  him  at  the  doctor's  quarters, 
that  it  was  the  last  time  I  should  ever  see  him,  but  how 
uncertain  life  and  health  are  in  this  part  of  our  country! 
God  grant  that  my  life  may  be  spared  and  that  I  may 
very  soon  have  the  pleasure  of  once  more  meeting  the 
friends  at  home. 

''Tuesday,  July  14.  This  is  the  end  of  the  time  for 
which  we  volunteered.  Port  Hudson  has  surrendered, 
but  we  are  not  on  our  way  home.  The  regiment  is 
detailed  to  guard  the  prisoners  who  have  been  put  on 
steamers  and  sent  to  their  homes.  The  privates  are 
paroled  and  go  up  the  river,  but  the  officers  are  to  go  to 
New  Orleans.  Companies  F  and  K  are  detailed  to  take 
the  officers  on  board  the  steamer  Suffofk  (formerly  our 
old  rotten  steamer  the  Niagara)  to  New  Orleans.  We 
started  at  five  o'clock  P.M.  and  arrived  at  Baton  Rouge 
in  one  and  one-half  hours,  where  we  remained  till  the 
next  morning.  We  had  eighty-nine  rebel  officers  on 
board,  and  our  guard  consisted  of  thirty-eight. 

''Wednesday,  July  15.  Started  from  Baton  Rouge  at 
daylight,  passed  Donaldsonville  at  ten  o'clock,  the 
ironclad  gunboat  Essex  and  the  river  steamers  Emperor 
and  North  American.  Spoke  the  Essex,  and  heard  that 
Lee  had  been  completely  annihilated  in  Pennsylvania. 
Arrived  at  New  Orleans  at  four  P.M.,  and  just  before  dark 
conducted  the  prisoners  to  the  custom  house  and  deliv 
ered  them  up  to  the  U.S.  authorities." 

Diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson: 

"July  14.  Captain  Barnes  made  a  request  that  I 
might  be  permitted  to  leave  camp  and  go  to  Baton  Rouge 
to  close  up  all  business,  to  see  that  headboards  were 
placed  by  the  graves  of  those  of  Company  K  who  had 


216  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

died  since  we  left,  obtain  from  the  hospitals  their  effects, 
and  then  return  on  the  boat  that  is  to  bring  up  our  tents 
and  camp  equipage.  The  immense  amount  of  red  tape 
necessary  to  get  started  was  wonderful.  That  I,  an 
insignificant  private,  who  enlisted  for  thirteen  dollars  a 
month  to  stand  up  and  be  shot  at,  should  find  it  neces 
sary,  when  wanting  to  travel  about  twenty-five  miles, 
to  consult  so  many  eminent  men  and  gain  their  un 
qualified  consent,  raised  myself  in  my  own  estimation, 
so  that  I  thought  perhaps  I  would  buy  a  steamboat  and 
take  a  select  party  of  friends  along  with  me.  First, 
Colonel  Messer  received  the  document,  and  knowing  me 
well,  gave  the  consent  unhesitatingly,  and  respectfully 
forwarded  it  to  Colonel  Atwood,  commanding  brigade. 
After  due  deliberation,  he  seized  a  pen  and  signed  his 
name,  approving,  and  with  his  best  respects  forwarded 
it  to  General  Andrews,  commander  of  Port  Hudson,  who 
unhesitatingly  gave  his  autograph,  and  sent  it  up  to  be 
signed  by  R.  B.  Irwin,  adjutant  general  of  this  depart 
ment.  After  gaining  his  signature  I  artlessly  inquired 
if  it  was  to  be  sent  to  Washington  for  President  Lincoln's 
indorsement  before  our  boat  could  be  launched  upon 
the  waves,  which  being  answered  in  the  negative,  I 
started  to  get  transportation. 

"The  medical  boat  was  to  leave  at  two  o'clock,  and  it 
was  my  aim  to  go  on  it  if  I  could  get  a  pass.  This  must 
come  from  Dr.  Alexander,  surgeon-in-chief,  and  the  next 
move  to  make  was  to  find  him  and  the  pass.  Enlisting 
the  sympathies  of  Surgeon  Cogswell,  a  coach  was  called, 
and  for  two  long  hours  Dr.  Alexander  was  searched  for 
as  for  hidden  treasures,  and  with  about  the  average 
result.  He  was  out,  but  after  long  delays  his  best  man 
came  down  to  the  landing  and  escorted  us  over  the  gang 
plank,  and  coming  on  board  in  such  'goodlie  companie,' 
the  guard  passed  me  for  all  I  was  worth.  It  is  sometimes 
well  to  make  a  favorable  impression  at  sight,  and  in  the 
present  case  it  was  extremely  so.  Captain  Littlefield  of 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  217 

Company  E  was  on  the  landing  very  anxious  to  go  below, 
but  could  see  no  way  of  getting  a  pass.  I  proposed  to 
try  the  effect  of  cheek,  but  the  captain  thought  it  would 
be  useless.  However,  I  walked  down  the  gangway,  re 
questing  the  guard  to  observe  the  general  contour  of  my 
eyes  and  nose,  as  I  wished  to  return  again  in  a  few  min 
utes.  Stepping  up  to  where  the  captain  was  standing,  I 
requested  him  to  follow  like  a  dutiful  man.  He  did  so. 
We  passed  the  guard, 

'  He  smiled  a  smoile, 
He  winked  a  wunk/ 

and  my  friend,  the  captain,  had  a  'sure  thing'  for  a  ride 
on  the  medical  boat. 

"  About  dark  the  boat  swung  from  her  moorings,  and 
without  any  mishap  arrived  at  Baton  Rouge  about  the 
noon  of  night,  and  found  the  few  in  camp  buried  in  pro 
found  slumber.  The  officers'  tents  of  each  company  are 
all  that  are  standing.  The  others  are  in  condition  to  be 
moved  at  the  word.  Woke  up  Byron,  called  for  two 
stews,  and  then  to  rest. 

"July  15.  No  more  stores  being  furnished,  flour  and 
other  necessaries  of  life  were  purchased,  and  Aunt  Jose 
phine,  —  called  Phenie  for  short,  —  a  noted  cook,  for 
merly  owned  by  a  gentleman  of  high  standing  in  this 
city,  acted  in  that  capacity  for  me.  As  the  fig  and  other 
fruits  of  this  clime  furnished  the  desserts,  we  fared 
sumptuously  every  day.  Overhauling  my  valise,  a  '  biled 
shirt'  was  found,  and  other  light  and  airy  articles  for 
summer  wear  were  put  to  use.  I  am  quite  reconciled  to 
my  lot.  If  a  quartermaster  or  paymaster  is  wanted, 
apply  within.  In  a  mixed  company  this  morning  an 
acquaintance  called  me  by  name,  when  a  man  with  the 
strap  of  a  lieutenant  colonel  spoke  up:  'I  used  to  know 
that  name  in  Massachusetts;  where  is  the  owner?'  Turn 
ing  around,  I  faced  a  stranger  who  introduced  himself, 


218  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  I  immediately  grasped  by  the  hand  one  who,  in 
days  long  gone,  was  a  playmate  of  mine.  Pleasantly  we 
talked  of  old  times,  and  ten  thousand  boyish  reminiscences 
of  Georgetown  as  it  was,  and  of  those  who  were  with  us 
then.  The  hurry  and  bustle  of  the  times  make  meetings 
short,  so  we  parted.  I  think  state  rights  or  state  pride 
is  felt  immensely  strong  out  here.  To  illustrate:  some 
little  time  ago  the  band  boys,  wishing  a  favor  granted 
them,  which  favor  was  to  come  through  the  commander 
of  30th  Massachusetts,  Colonel  Bullock,  I  was  solicited 
to  act  in  their  behalf;  so  'I  hied  me  away'  to  the  colonel's 
quarters,  and  stated  their  request  in  as  mild  and  unas 
suming  a  manner  as  possible,  and  hoping  that  if  it  was 
in  his  power  he  would  grant  their  petition.  For  a  long 
time  he  objected,  stating  many  good  reasons,  and  begin 
ning  to  think  he  was  about  right,  I  was  on  the  point  of 
leaving,  when  he  abruptly  asked,  'Who  are  you,  and 
where  from?'  I  told  him  Massachusetts  was  my  native 
State,  and  I  was  a  member  of  the  50th  Massachusetts 
Volunteer  Militia.  'Massachusetts?  Stop!  What  is  it 
you  want?  I  do  not  care  what  you  want;  have  it.  Yes; 
have  anything  —  anything  there  is  around  here  ;  take 
it  and  keep  it,  and  I  only  wish  I  could  do  something 
more  for  you  and  the  band.'  I  struck  up  'Yankee 
Doodle  homeward  bound,'  and  marched  back  to  camp, 
one  abreast,  thanking  heaven  that  I  was  born  in  the  old 
Bay  State,  and  that  my  glorious  old  ancestor  came  over 
in  the  Mayflower,  and  was  the  first  to  plant  his  foot  on 
Plymouth  Rock. 

U16th.  A  few  letters  came  up  from  New  Orleans  on 
the  last  night  steamer.  I  took  them  over  to  the  hospital 
for  delivery.  Among  them  was  one  for  Amos  Dole. 
This  I  took  to  the  general  hospital,  and  there  making 
inquiries  was  directed  to  the  ward,  but  was  told  that  he 
was  very  near  his  end.  He  had  consciousness  of  my 
being  present,  and  called  me  by  name,  but  was  too  far 
gone  to  talk,  or  take  notice  of  letters  from  home.  A 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  219 

sudden  change  came  over  him,  and  reclining  his  head 
on  my  arm, 

'  Without  a  sigh,  a  change  of  feature  or  a  shaded  smile, 
He  gave  his  hand  to  the  stern  messenger, 
And  as  a  glad  child  seeks  his  father's  arms,  went  home.' 

"No  man  ever  enlisted  in  this  war  from  better  motives, 
no  man  enjoyed  the  excitement  of  march  or  bivouac,  or 
was  more  ready  to  respond  to  duty's  call,  or  anticipated 
more  pleasure  in  fighting  his  battles  over  again,  when 
this  cursed  war  is  ended.  In  accordance  with  my  orders, 
I  have  been  out  to  the  cemetery,  which  is  about  two 
miles  out  of  the  city,  and  placed  headboards  at  the 
graves  of  my  comrades  of  Company  K.  A  large  tract  of 
land  has  been  laid  out  very  systematically  and  numbered 
by  brigades,  regiments  and  companies.  A  plan  of  the 
ground  is  kept  by  the  general  superintendent,  and  we  can 
find  the  sought-for  dead  without  much  trouble.  Here  is 
the  last  of  earth. 

'After  the  battle,  peaceful  graves.' 

"Returning  to  the  city  found  that  orders  had  arrived, 
that  everything  must  be  put  in  condition  for  transporta 
tion.  Early  to-morrow  morning  a  steamer  leaves  for 
Port  Hudson,  and  with  it  everything  and  everybody 
belonging  to  the  50th  goes  on  it.  All  remaining  tents  are 
struck  and  rolled  ;  clothing,  equipments  of  dead  com 
rades  from  the  various  hospitals  gathered,  boxed  and 
labeled.  The  old  camp  stove,  having  run  the  race  set 
before  it,  was  sold  at  a  very  low  figure  and  closed  up  the 
concern.  The  last  night  in  Baton  Rouge;  bed  as  hard  as 
a  board;  stars  shining  and  twinkling,  just  as  they  have 
been  ever  since  they  sung  together. 

"17th.  At  early  call  the  teams  began  to  load  our 
effects,  and  in  a  few  hours,  turning  our  faces  toward  the 
Mississippi,  the  old  camp  ground  saw  the  '  last  of  the  bare 
uns.'  Stopping  a  team  at  the  hospital  to  gather  the 


220  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

effects  of  Amos  Dole,  I  was  met  by  the  hospital  steward, 
who  coolly  informed  me  that  it  was  usual  to  retain  the 
clothing  of  men  who  died  at  the  hospital  under  his  charge. 
Feeling  my  extreme  smallness  in  his  presence,  I  humbly 
stated  that  in  all  other  cases  everything  had  been  gathered 
and  would  be  returned  to  the  relatives  of  the  deceased, 
and  hoped  he  would  grant  this,  my  last  request;  but  his 
mind  was  made  up  and  he  should  not.  As  I  turned  to  go, 
I  said,  '  That  depends  entirely  upon  how  high  authority 
I  can  enlist  in  my  favor  in  the  short  time  I  have  before 
the  boat  leaves.'  Starting  for  somebody's  headquarters, 
by  a  special  providence  almost  the  first  man  I  met  was 
Surgeon  Cogswell,  who  I  supposed  was  up  at  Port  Hudson. 
I  stated  the  case;  he  wrote  a  few  lines,  using  the  pommel 
of  his  saddle  for  a  writing  desk,  giving  it  to  me,  expressed 
himself  that  he  thought  the  great  mogul  might  notice  it; 
if  not,  he  would  go  himself.  Making  my  second  visit,  I 
passed  this  letter  to  my  friend,  the  steward,  who  passed 
over  what  I  called  for  without  deigning  a  remark. 

"  Looking  over  the  articles  I  found  a  ring  was  missing 
that  I  knew  was  with  him  yesterday.  He  denied  all 
knowledge  of  it,  and  as  the  boat  was  just  ready  to  start 
it  was  impossible  to  get  any  satisfaction.  I  told  him 
that  it  had  been  stolen  since  Amos  died,  and  I  had  no 
doubt  he  knew  where  it  was.  He  called  me  names  and 
I  called  him  worse  ones;  my  last  words  were  about  robbing 
dead  soldiers,  and  his  were  about  my  leaving  as  soon  as 
convenient,  and  thus  with  mutual  hate  we  parted. 

"The  steam  was  up  and  the  boat  immediately  turned 
her  bow  up  river,  and  Baton  Rouge  became  dim  in  the 
distance.  The  crevasse  through  which  we  were  so  un 
ceremoniously  drawn  last  March  was  noted.  The  river 
is  now  down  to  low-water  mark,  and  that  vast  extent  of 
submerged  cane  field  is  as  dry  as  dust.  Then  we  seemed 
to  be  sailing  along  on  the  tops  of  houses;  now  we  have  to 
mount  the  hurricane  deck  to  see  what  is  doing  on  the 
plantations.  The  shades  of  evening  were  settling  around 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  221 

the  solitary  residence  of  Mr.  Winter;  as  the  boat  passed 
by  not  a  living  mortal  appeared  around  that  domicile; 
everything  was  quiet  and  gloomy,  and  steaming  up,  our 
boat  soon  found  anchorage  at  the  landing. 

"July  22.  The  days  pass  slowly,  and  when  a  human 
being  is  obliged  to  resort  to  thunder  showers  for  amuse 
ments  to  beguile  the  tedious  hours,  convivialty  and  mirth 
must  be  rare  articles.  The  captain's  room  had  been  used 
as  the  sitting  room  of  a  hotel  more  than  any  other  tent  or 
room  in  this  vicinity.  Captain  Barnes's  good  nature  and 
pleasant  anecdotes  have  always  assured  him  an  audience 
under  all  circumstances.  Thus  the  field  officers  of  this 
regiment  are  often  found  here,  entirely  divested  of  all 
military  dignity,  passing  the  joke,  relating  anecdotes  or 
some  personal  experience,  and  driving  dull  care  away. 
Within  the  precincts  of  this  tent  to-night,  as  usual,  a 
number  of  them  had  dropped  in,  and  the  old  canvas  fairly 
grinned  with  delight.  Before  the  hour  for  closing  had 
arrived  a  howling  thunder  shower,  totally  regardless  of 
weak  nerves  or  timid  temperaments,  poured  out  its  vials. 
Many  tents  lay  prostrate  and  Wildes  and  myself  did  our 
level  best,  and  the  old  concern  weathered  the  gale.  The 
night  will  long  be  remembered  by  that  company." 

The  Confederate  organizations,  the  privates  and  non 
commissioned  officers  of  which  were  paroled  were  as 
follows : 

1st  Alabama  Infantry,  49th  Alabama  Infantry,  1st 
(8th)  Arkansas  Infantry,  10th  Arkansas  Infantry,  llth 
Arkansas  Infantry,  12th  Arkansas  Infantry,  14th  Ar 
kansas  Infantry,  15th  Arkansas  Infantry,  16th  Arkansas 
Infantry,  17th  Arkansas  Infantry,  18th  Arkansas  In 
fantry,  23d  Arkansas  Infantry,  4th  Louisiana  Infantry, 
9th  Louisiana  Infantry,  30th  Louisiana  Infantry,  Miles's 
Louisiana  Legion,  1st  Mississippi  Infantry,  39th  Mississippi 
Infantry,  Claibourne's  Mississippi  Infantry,  Battalion 
Tennessee  Infantry,  12th  Louisiana  Artillery  (Heavy), 
1st  Tennessee  Artillery  (Heavy),  Boone's  Louisiana 


222  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Artillery  (Light),  Watson's  Louisiana  Artillery  (Light), 
1st  Mississippi  Artillery  (Light),  English's  Mississippi 
Artillery  (Light),  Seven  Stars  Mississippi  Artillery  (Light), 
1st  Tennessee  Artillery  (Light). 

The  month  of  July  wore  away  and  still  the  regiment 
remained.  The  prisoners  had  been  paroled,  our  term  of 
enlistment  had  long  since  expired;  other  nine-months  reg 
iments  had  embarked  for  home,  but  the  50th  was  detained. 

At  one  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  July  27  thirteen 
steamers  passed  down  the  river  loaded  with  troops  from 
Vicksburg.  Lighted  from  stem  to  stern,  they  presented 
a  beautiful  sight  as  they  steamed  by  Port  Hudson. 

The  month  was  drawing  to  a  close ;  with  longing  and 
impatience  we  were  looking  forward  to  our  home  return. 

On  the  28th  the  welcome  order  was  received  to  turn 
over  all  ordnance  stores,  arms  and  equipments  to  the  chief 
ordnance  officer  immediately.  No  order  was  ever  obeyed 
with  greater  readiness.  At  half  past  ten,  on  the  morning 
of  July  29,  the  regiment  was  all  on  board;  and  the 
Omaha  with  her  stem  up  stream  drew  in  her  lines  from 
the  landing  and  steamed  up  the  river.  The  campaign 
was  closed,  our  service  of  nine  months  ended,  and  with 
pleasing  anticipations  of  home  and  friends  at  the  next 
bend  of  the  river  we  caught  our  last  glimpse  of  Port 
Hudson.  It  was  an  historic  spot,  but  the  irony  of  fate, 
after  the  lapse  of  forty  years,  has  left  it  almost  a  deserted 
waste.  The  railroad  is  a  thing  of  the  past;  the  port  no 
longer  exists;  the  river  sweeps  away  in  a  new  channel  to 
Port  Hickey,  a  mile  below.  The  memory  of  those  event 
ful  days  is  fading  away;  most  of  the  actors  in  the  great 
struggle  sleep  in  their  graves;  a  few  years  more  and  the 
last  survivor  will  have  passed  from  earth,  but  the  result 
of  their  labors  will  reach  on  for  centuries  to  come,  perhaps 
for  all  time. 

The  Omaha  was  an  old  river  steamer,  decrepit  with 
age,  overloaded  with  human  freight.  The  shores  of  the 
river  lined  with  cottonwood  were  uninteresting.  At 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  223 

half  past  five  in  the  afternoon  the  mouth  of  Red  River 
was  reached.  A  little  farther  on  the  fine  old  plantation 
of  Zachary  Taylor  was  passed,  and  the  next  morning 
found  the  steamer  fast  at  Natchez,  under  the  hill.  At 
almost  every  landing  some  poor  fellow,  wasted  away  with 
disease,  was  laid  at  rest.  Here  was  buried  Elias  A. 
Trofatter  of  Company  A.  Our  passage  up  the  river  was 
slow,  the  wheezing  old  hulk  making  only  six  miles  an  hour. 
This  day  we  steamed  by  Rodney  and  Grand  Gulf. 

A  little  after  daylight  on  the  morning  of  July  31  the 
lines  were  cast  ashore  at  Vicksburg  and  a  supply  of 
coal  taken  aboard  on  the  opposite  shore.  Another  death 
and  another  burial,  Horace  Carter  of  Company  H.  Here 
are  shown  the  first  signs  of  activity;  steamers  line  the 
shore,  but  everything  pertains  to  war.  The  fortifications 
and  the  effects  of  the  siege  stand  out  in  clear  view.  It 
was  six  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  before  the  Omaha  got 
under  way. 

Saturday,  August  1.  Soon  after  breakfast  passed 
the  village  of  Lake  Providence,  a  little  town  with  two 
churches.  "A  burning  sun,  a  withering,  scorching  breeze 
and  a  huge  fire  below  sending  up  heat,  smoke  and  cinders, 
smother,  stifle,  choke." 

Sunday,  August  2.  Passed  Napoleon  this  morning 
and  the  mouth  of  Arkansas  River,  and  a  little  farther  up 
came  to  White  River. 

Diary  of  Sergeant  Nelson: 

"This  has  been  the  saddest  day  of  the  trip;  between 
midnight  and  sunrise  this  morning  young  Crosby  of 
Company  K  and  two  other  members  of  the  regiment  died. 
Owing  to  the  bad  feeling  of  the  people  along  the  shore, 
we  did  not  land  till  about  the  middle  of  the  forenoon. 
On  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  just  above  the  mouth  of 
the  White  River,  the  steamer  was  brought  up  to  the  bank, 
and  three  graves  were  dug,  and  all  that  our  circumstances 
would  admit  of  was  done  to  give  Christian  burial. 
Almost  the  entire  regiment  stood  with  uncovered  heads. 


224  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Captain  Duncan  performed  the  sad  services,  tenderly 
replacing  the  soil  over  their  remains;  we  withdrew,  and 
immediately  the  bell  sounded  for  the  boat  to  move.  I 
can  scarcely  conceive  of  anything  more  distressing  than 
the  inexorable  decree  of  fate  which  obliges  us  to  leave 
our  dead  comrades  by  the  way,  buried  in  strange  lands, 
without  a  single  object  to  mark  their  final  resting  place. 
The  winds  moan  and  the  river,  rippling  along  to  the  sea, 
moistens  their  lonely  graves,  yet  they  heed  it  not.  In 
the  stillest  of  stillness  we  leave  them,  and  thank  God 
for  immortality.  No  burial  of  any  member  of  the  regi 
ment  caused  more  real  sorrow  than  these  this  morning. 
We  made  no  reckoning  of  leaving  any  by  the  way,  but 
expected  that  all  who  started  would  see  home.  In  the 
death  of  young  Crosby  there  were  many  reasons  why  the 
sympathies  of  the  men  of  the  regiment  were  excited  to  a 
greater  degree  than  would  have  been  for  almost  any 
private  that  I  know  of.  He  was  the  only  boy  belonging 
to  the  regiment  detailed  on  our  first  going  into  camp  for 
extra  duty,  then  changed  to  the  adjutant's  department. 
He  was  brought  in  contact  with  officers  and  men  con 
tinually.  Having  had  considerable  experience  the  year 
before  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  in  the  19th  Massa 
chusetts,  his  knowledge  of  the  detail  of  army  life  was 
wonderful  for  one  of  his  age.  Major  Hodges,  who  was  a 
lieutenant  in  that  regiment,  took  Thede  under  his  special 
protection,  and  he  became  a  general  favorite.  For  a  few 
weeks  he  had  been  poorly,  but  nothing  serious  was  appre 
hended  until  within  a  few  days.  Yesterday  he  showed 
unmistakable  signs  that  he  would  not  live  to  see  home; 
in  the  evening  he  was  brought  into  the  after  part  of  the 
boat  and  everything  possible  done  for  his  comfort;  long 
before  morning  dawned,  resting  quietly  in  the  colonel's 
arms,  he  passed  away." 

The  river  at  this  point  is  strongly  guarded  by  iron 
clads  and  land  forces,  as  is  also  the  mouth  of  the  Arkan 
sas  River,  which  we  passed  to-day. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  225 

Monday,  August  3.  The  Omaha  ran  on  to  a  sand  bar 
during  the  night,  the  rotten  old  craft  sprung  aleak,  the 
water  running  in  through  the  cracks,  threatening  to  sink 
her.  All  hands  went  to  work,  and  she  was  kept  afloat  by 
bailing.  The  captain  took  a  small  boat  and  a  crew  of 
men  and  started  up  the  river  a  few  miles  for  Helena 
to  obtain  assistance.  He  returned  about  daylight  with 
two  steamers.  The  sick  were  transferred  to  the  Modera 
tor,  and  the  rest  of  the  regiment  to  the  Luther  M.  Kennett, 
a  large  and  powerful  high-pressure  side- wheel  steamer. 

After  a  tedious  delay  the  voyage  was  resumed,  and 
soon  the  white  tents  of  an  encampment  came  into  view, 
and  a  little  farther  up,  the  city  of  Helena,  Ark., 
where  we  delayed  a  few  hours  in  coaling.  The  Kennett 
had  ample  accommodations  for  the  men,  and  the  change 
was  agreeable  from  the  contracted  quarters  of  the  Omaha. 
Helena  at  this  time  was  an  important  post,  garrisoned  by 
10,000  troops  under  General  Prentiss. 

While  the  vessel  was  being  coaled  the  men  had  an 
opportunity  to  go  ashore,  and  after  hard-tack  and  river 
water  for  five  days  a  brisk  trade  was  carried  on  in  sutlers' 
supplies.  T.  P.  Perley,  a  member  of  Company  K,  died 
while  we  were  waiting  here,  after  a  long  sickness,  and  was 
buried  in  the  soldiers7  lot. 

August  4.  Memphis  was  reached  about  noon,  and  we 
were  delayed  till  evening  taking  in  coal.  The  bustle  and 
activity  of  a  busy  city  characterized  the  place.  Steamers 
lined  the  levee;  boats  were  discharging  and  taking  on 
freight.  Drays  laden  with  merchandise  filled  the  street 
along  the  shore.  Teams  of  the  Adams  Express  Company 
reminded  us  of  home.  The  avenues  and  sidewalks  were 
crowded  with  elegant  turnouts  and  well-dressed  people, 
and  the  stores  and  shops  were  filled  with  fashionable 
goods.  Thrift  and  prosperity  take  the  place  of  ruin  and 
decay,  which  were  observed  farther  down  the  river.  It 
was  inspiring  to  once  again  see  a  flourishing  and  beautiful 
city.  After  the  scanty  and  unsatisfying  army  rations  of 


226  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

seven  months  it  seemed  almost  impossible  for  the  boys 
to  placate  their  long-abused  stomachs  and  appease  their 
appetites,  and  so  hucksters  and  venders  of  fruit  were  in 
great  demand.  Even  the  river  water  had  not  so  vitiated 
the  palate  that  a  mint  julep  had  lost  its  savor. 

Having  dropped  down  stream  to  fill  the  bunkers  with 
coal,  it  was  after  dark  when  we  steamed  by  the  city,  and 
as  we  passed  the  lights  flashed  from  the  numerous 
steamers  and  the  city  lights  of  streets  and  buildings 
presented  a  beautiful  and  dazzling  sight.  Perhaps  the 
most  interesting  quarter  of  our  boat  is  the  cabin,  which 
is  used  as  the  dining  room,  and  the  most  interesting  time 
of  day  to  those  who  have  some  scrip  left  is  when  the 
table  is  set.  The  captain  takes  his  place  at  the  head, 
and  a  magnificent  colored  gentleman  presides  over  a 
corps  of  waiters,  performing  the  functions  of  a  steward 
with  a  very  distinguished  air.  The  commissioned  officers 
are  first  served,  and  then  the  private  has  a  chance  if  he 
is  fortunate  enough  to  possess  the  cash  with  which  to  pay 
for  a  meal.  It  is  feared  some  of  these  privates  had 
pockets  even  more  hungry  and  capacious  than  their 
stomachs,  judging  from  the  quantity  of  cakes  and  pies 
that  disappeared  and  were  later  distributed  among  the  boys. 

Certain  circumstantial  evidence  would  seem  to  indicate 
that  groups  of  men  formed  a  sort  of  communistic  society, 
clubbed  together,  and  for  the  price  of  a  single  meal,  through 
their  representative,  managed  to  distribute  a  supply  of 
food  among  the  entire  mess. 

The  knowledge  possessed  by  the  pilots  of  the  tortuous 
channel  and  how  and  where  to  steer  the  boats  was  mar 
velous.  First  on  one  side  of  the  river,  then  on  the  other, 
then  in  the  middle  of  the  stream;  at  one  time  hugging  the 
shore  so  that  one  could  almost  step  on  to  the  land,  the 
next  moment  steering  out  perhaps  with  a  sharp  curve; 
and  then  the  current  is  ever  changing.  Where  the 
channel  runs  to-day  perhaps  next  week  a  sand  bar  will 
be  piled  up  to  almost  the  surface  of  the  water;  and  then 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  227 

the  pilot  must  always  be  on  the  watch  for  snags.  It  was 
said  of  an  old  Mississippi  pilot  "that  he  would  look  in 
his  hand  and  see  every  snag  and  sand  bar  from  St.  Louis 
to  New  Orleans."  Before  the  war  and  prior  to  the  time 
when  railroads  had  honeycombed  the  country,  the  Mis 
sissippi  steamers  catered  to  the  best  class  of  travel,  and 
were  fitted  up  with  considerable  elegance.  A  voyage  of 
several  days  from  New  Orleans  to  St.  Louis,  stopping  at 
the  various  ports  along  the  river,  presented  many  social 
attractions;  friendships  were  formed;  the  time  whiled 
away  with  games  of  chance,  and  in  those  days  in  many 
ways  such  a  voyage  was  as  enjoyable  as  a  voyage  across 
the  Atlantic  now.  All  along  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi 
the  air  is  charged  with  the  traditional  stories  of  those  good 
old  times  when  the  wealthy  planter,  with  his  retinue  of 
slaves,  traveled  in  the  state  of  a  foreign  lord. 

Wednesday,  August  5.  The  trip  to-day  was  a  pleas 
ant  one,  Tennessee  on  our  right  and  Arkansas  on  our 
left.  In  the  morning  passed  Fort  Pillow,  and  towards 
evening  hauled  up  at  a  wood  yard  in  Missouri  to  take 
on  a  supply  of  wood.  The  conversation  that  took  place 
between  the  captain  and  the  proprietor  of  the  wood 
yard  was  narrated  by  a  member  of  the  regiment  as  fol 
lows:  "  Between  the  expectorations  of  tobacco  juice  the 
captain  is  informed  in  answer  to  his  inquiry,  '  What  kind 
of  wood  is  it?'  'It  is  cord  wood.'  Pursuing  his  investi 
gation,  the  next  inquiry  will  be,  'How  long  has  it  been 
cut  ? '  '  Four  feet . '  Still  persistent  after  knowledge  under 
difficulties,  Captain  Reed  asked  how  he  sold  it.  'For 
money/  came  back  the  hoarse  reply.  l  Do  you  take  Con 
federate  bonds?7  'Y-a-a-s.'  As  we  are  getting  north, 
there  is  considerable  discount  on  the  circulating  medium, 
and,  anticipating  this,  the  captain  cautiously  inquired  on 
what  terms  he  took  dilapidated  currency.  The  old 
hoosier  straightened  himself  up  to  his  extreme  height, 
and  answered  back,  'Cord  for  cord!'" 

After  this  preliminary  chaffing,  a  trade  was  made,  the 


228  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

boys  went  to  work  with  the  colonel  at  their  head,  and  in 
an  hour  twenty-six  cords  were  put  on  board. 

Thursday,  August  6.  The  last  day  of  our  voyage. 
Early  in  the  day  steamed  by  New  Madrid  and  the  famous 
Island  No.  10,  where  the  garrison  turned  out,  and  cheered 
us  as  we  passed,  the  band  striking  up  national  airs.  We 
were  now  opposite  the  Kentucky  shore,  and  the  fine 
farms,  high  state  of  cultivation,  bountiful  orchards  and 
grazing  cattle  indicated  a  prosperous  and  fertile  state. 
The  city  of  Hickman  was  soon  reached,  and  a  little  later 
Columbus  came  in  sight.  Columbus  at  that  time  was 
the  center  for  government  quartermasters'  stores  for  the 
South  and  West.  After  leaving  here,  a  steamer  was  ob 
served  coming  up  the  river,  which  proved  to  be  our  old 
friend  the  Omaha  on  her  way  to  Cairo  for  repairs.  Greet 
ings  were  exchanged,  and  a  challenge  given  for  trial  of 
speed.  The  challenge  was  accepted,  and  the  last  ten 
miles  was  an  exciting  race.  The  two  ancient  craft  seemed 
to  renew  their  youth.  Wood,  pine  knots  and  anything 
that  would  make  speed  was  piled  on  to  the  fire.  The 
two  boats  were  almost  neck  and  neck,  but  the  Kennett 
touched  the  levee  at  Cairo  just  ahead  of  the  Omaha. 
The  voyage  had  consumed  eight  days  and  a  little  more. 
It  was  almost  nine  months  since  the  regiment  had  left 
Boxford.  Many  had  gone  never  to  return;  others  were 
wasted  with  a  fatal  sickness,  but  as  the  men  stepped 
upon  the  soil  of  a  northern  state  it  was  a  moment  of 
supreme  happiness. 

Cairo,  situated  at  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi,  a  city  built  upon  mud,  had  been  a  place  of 
strategic  importance,  low  and  forbidding,  but  on  that 
night  it  was  the  entrance  to  Paradise.  This  was  our  last 
night  on  the  steamer.  On  the  morrow  those  of  the  sick 
unable  to  proceed  were  left  in  the  hospital  at  Mound 
City  four  miles  above  Cairo,  and  at  eleven  A.M.  the 
regiment  had  been  packed  into  cattle  cars,  the  whistle 
sounded,  and  the  train  started  on  the  homeward  trip. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  229 

Southern  Illinois,  through  which  we  rode,  is  a  fertile 
farming  country,  the  crops  mostly  of  corn  in  unbroken 
fields  of  hundreds  of  acres.  What  a  change  was  observed 
north  of  the  Ohio!  No  more  sullen  faces  and  averted 
looks.  All  along  the  route,  through  village  and  farm, 
the  people  swung  their  hats  and  waved  their  handker 
chiefs.  Just  before  sundown  the  train  drew  up  at  Cen- 
tralia  for  a  short  stop. 

Saturday,  August  8.  Arrived  at  Mattoon  before  light, 
changed  to  a  train  of  passenger  cars,  and  were  off  at 
six  A.M.  Last  night  in  many  ways  was  the  most  uncom 
fortable  one  experienced  during  the  service  in  our  abor 
tive  attempts  to  get  a  little  sleep.  Closely  packed, 
rolled  up,  curled  up,  doubled  up,  rest  was  almost  impos 
sible,  and  the  privilege  of  stretching  our  legs  at  Mattoon, 
and  afterwards  enjoying  the  comfort  of  passenger  cars, 
was  a  great  relief. 

The  ride  to-day  has  been  over  the  prairie,  through  suc 
cessive  fields  of  wheat.  Horses,  cattle  and  swine  roam 
over  the  pastures.  Passed  through  Terre  Haute,  where 
a  brief  stay  was  made,  and  then  kept  on  to  Indianapolis, 
reaching  there  a  little  before  evening,  where  supper  was 
furnished  and  an  opportunity  given  for  a  stroll  over 
the  city.  Another  change  of  cars  at  this  place,  the 
train  being  made  up  partly  of  box  and  partly  of  pas 
senger  cars. 

Sunday,  August  9.  This  Sabbath  morning  was  one 
never  to  be  forgotten  by  the  men  of  the  50th  Regiment, 
and  the  memory  of  Bellefontaine  will  be  cherished  by 
them  for  a  lifetime.  It  was  six  thirty  A.M.  when  the 
train  hauled  into  the  town.  The  station  was  filled  with 
ladies  and  gentlemen  loaded  down  with  every  delicacy 
that  the  market  afforded.  The  boys  were  taken  in  charge 
by  the  citizens  and  invited  to  their  homes,  where  such 
breakfasts  were  set  before  them  as  could  be  furnished 
only  by  large-hearted  western  hospitality.  The  moral 
effect  upon  these  returning  New  England  soldiers  was 


230  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

greater  than  that  of  any  sermon  ever  preached.  The 
generosity  and  patriotism  of  these  good  people  illustrated 
the  treatment  accorded  to  us  through  the  entire  West. 
The  enthusiasm  cooled  as  the  regiment  passed  through 
New  York  and  Massachusetts.  At  Marion  the  same  re 
ception  awaited  us.  "Our  ride  to-day  has  been  through 
the  garden  of  Ohio.  Fields  of  stacked  wheat,  hillsides 
covered  with  trellised  grapevines,  and  cattle  feeding  upon 
sweet-scented  clover"  presented  an  interesting  picture. 
About  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  the  train  rolled  into 
the  depot  at  Cleveland,  where  a  great  concourse  of  people 
received  us  and  a  bountiful  collation  was  served.  Another 
change  of  cars  and  off  for  Buffalo. 

Monday,  August  10.  Arrived  at  Buffalo  at  daylight, 
and  after  breakfast  took  another  train  for  Albany. 
"The  day  has  been  one  of  hilarity,  pleasant  and  beauti 
ful.  The  road,  a  large  part  of  the  way,  leads  along  the 
Erie  Canal."  Over  the  New  York  Central  the  train  runs 
through  the  charming  Mohawk  Valley,  the  blue  Alle- 
ghanies  visible  in  the  distance,  through  the  city  of 
Rochester  with  its  falls  and  flour  mills,  Utica,  and  Syra 
cuse  with  its  salt  works. 

"Near  the  close  of  the  day  we  rolled  into  Little  Falls 
and  made  a  long  stop.  Here  the  river,  the  canal  and 
the  railroad  run  along  and  wind  through  the  gorge  of 
the  mountains.  The  wildness  of  the  scenery  is  hardly 
surpassed." 

At  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  we  arrived  at  Albany, 
where  rations  were  issued,  crossed  the  Hudson,  and  at 
sunrise  were  in  Massachusetts.  It  was  between  four 
and  five  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  Tuesday,  Aug.  11, 
1863,  when  the  train  rumbled  into  the  old  Boston 
and  Worcester  Railroad  station,  from  which  we  had  gone 
nine  months  before.  Relatives  and  friends  were  there 
to  bid  us  farewell  when  we  left;  they  were  there  to  greet 
us  when  we  returned. 

After  a  collation  at  Beach  Street  Barracks  the  regi- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  231 

ment  marched  to  the  Common  and  was  dismissed,  the 
several  companies  returning  to  their  respective  towns 
under  their  own  commanders.  On  the  24th  of  August 
the  regiment  was  mustered  out  at  Wenham  by  Capt.  J. 
K.  Lawrence  of  the  llth  U.S.  Infantry. 


232  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

CHAPTER  XVIII 

GENERAL    DUDLEY 

GENERAL  NATHAN  A.  M.  DUDLEY  was  born  at 
Lexington,  Aug.  20,  1825.  He  came  from  old 
New  England  stock,  his  first  ancestor  in  the  male 
line  in  this  country  being  Francis  Dudley,  who  settled  in 
Concord  about  1663,  and  who  was  a  soldier  in  King 
Philip's  War.  In  early  life  he  was  interested  in  military 
affairs,  and  from  1844  to  1853  was  an  officer  in  the  state 
militia,  and  during  a  large  portion  of  this  period  was 
engaged  in  business  as  a  clothing  dealer  in  Haymarket 
Square,  Boston. 

When  only  eighteen  years  of  age  he  was  adjutant  of 
the  5th  Regiment  of  Artillery  under  Col.  Andrew  Chase, 
and  was  appointed  brigade  major  of  the  Boston  Brigade, 
serving  on  the  staffs  of  Generals  Chase,  B.  F.  Edmonds 
and  Samuel  Andrews.  At  the  time  of  the  Boston  riots 
he  headed  the  column  that  marched  down  State  Street 
upon  the  rendition  of  Burns  and  Simms. 

In  1849  he  accompanied  the  Mounted  Rifles,  now  3d 
Cavalry,  U.S.A.,  to  Oregon,  across  the  plains  and  Rocky 
Mountains,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Fremont. 
From  Oregon  he  sailed  to  the  Sandwich  Islands,  thence 
to  California,  and  was  in  Sacramento  in  the  winter  of 
1850,  returning  home  by  way  of  Central  America  and 
Jamaica  in  the  spring  of  that  year. 

In  1852  he  visited  Europe  and  was  abroad  most  of  the 
year. 

In  March,  1855,  he  was  appointed  to  a  first  lieutenancy 
in  the  United  States  Infantry,  and  was  ordered  to  Fort 
Leavenworth,  Kansas,  his  company  being  detached  from 
the  regiment.  After  being  mounted  he  was  attached  to 


GEN.  N.  A.  M.  DUDLEY 
Baton  Rouge,  1863 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  233 

the  Sioux  expedition  under  General  Harney,  and  made 
the  campaign  against  the  Sioux  Indians  in  1855.  This 
expedition  was  a  perfect  success,  as  all  of  Harney's  cam 
paigns  were.  He  succeeded  in  trapping  the  Sioux  on 
the  north  bank  of  the  North  Platte  near  the  mouth  of 
Ash  Hollow,  most  thoroughly  punishing  the  Brules  under 
their  old  leader,  Little  Thunder,  killing  over  a  hundred 
of  their  number  and  corraling  some  2,000  prisoners. 
Lieutenant  Dudley's  company  was  specially  mentioned 
in  orders  for  the  part  it  took  in  this  fight,  which  occurred 
Sept.  5,  1855. 

The  spring  of  1856  found  him  with  his  company  sta 
tioned  in  the  sand  hills  of  Nebraska  on  the  north  fork 
of  the  Platte  near  the  only  bridge  then  west  of  the  Mis 
souri  River.  All  the  Indians  on  the  plains  at  this  time 
were  more  or  less  troublesome.  The  Cheyennes,  one  of 
the  largest  tribes  of  the  Five  Nations,  were  conspicu 
ously  so.  On  the  19th  of  April,  1856,  Lieutenant  Dudley 
attacked  a  force  of  ten  times  his  own  number,  of  this 
band,  and  succeeded  in  capturing  many  prominent  chiefs 
and  Indians  who  had  been  guilty  of  bad  conduct  toward 
the  immigrants  crossing  the  mountains  the  previous  year. 

The  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War  found  Company  E, 
10th  Infantry  (Dudley's),  with  his  regiment  as  part  of 
the  Utah  expedition,  where  it  had  been  for  three  years 
under  Gen.  Albert  Sidney  Johnson,  supporting  the  civil 
authorities  in  their  attempt  to  reconstruct  Brigham 
Young  and  his  lawless  followers.  The  Rebellion  caused 
the  abandonment  of  Salt  Lake,  and  the  change  of  station 
from  Utah  to  Washington,  where  the  old  10th  was  as 
signed  to  do  duty  as  part  of  the  provost  guard  of  the 
capitol  under  Dudley.  All  the  senior  officers  had  ac 
cepted  appointments  of  a  higher  grade  than  their  regular 
commissions  in  volunteer  regiments,  or  had  resigned  and 
gone  into  the  Confederate  Army,  so  that  Dudley,  with 
the  rank  of  captain,  had  command  of  all  the  regular 
infantry  stationed  in  Washington  at  that  time. 


234  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

On  the  5th  of  February,  1861,  he  was  offered  the 
colonelcy  of  the  30th  Massachusetts  Volunteers  by  Gen 
eral  Butler,  with  assurance  if  he  would  accept  that  a 
leave  of  absence  from  the  Regular  Army  would  be  granted 
him  for  this  purpose.  He  had  refused  the  command  of 
the  22d  (Wilson's  regiment)  and  of  the  2d  Illinois  Cav 
alry  (Farns worth's  regiment). 

These  were  both  members  of  Congress,  but  leave  of 
absence  could  not  be  secured  for  him,  as  McClellan  had 
declined  to  further  deplete  the  efficiency  of  the  regulars 
by  granting  leaves  of  absence  to  take  higher  commands 
in  the  volunteer  regiments.  Butler,  however,  succeeded 
over  the  heads  of  both  Stanton  and  McClellan  with  Lin 
coln  in  getting  Dudley's  leave,  and  he  accompanied  Gen 
eral  Butler  to  New  Orleans  via  Ship  Island  on  the  ill- 
fated  Mississippi,  being  assigned  to  the  command  of  the 
forces  on  board,  consisting  of  the  31st  Massachusetts  Vol 
unteers,  Neal  Dow's  Maine  regiment,  and  Nims's  Battery. 

After  being  partially  shipwrecked  on  Frying  Pan  Shoals 
he  finally  reached  Ship  Island  and  assumed  command  for 
the  first  time  of  his  own  regiment,  the  30th  Massachu 
setts  Volunteers.  As  soon  as  the  force  could  be  organ 
ized  it  was  embarked  and  joined  Farragut's  fleet  on  the 
Mississippi  to  capture  Forts  Jackson,  St.  Philip  and  the 
city  of  New  Orleans.  On  the  fall  of  these  places,  on  the 
2d  of  May,  he  was  assigned  to  command  of  the  troops  in 
New  Orleans  and  Carrollton.  He  was  the  officer  whom 
Mrs.  Philips  spat  upon,  and  with  a  group  of  young  rebel 
women  insulted  on  the  occasion  that  the  civil  police  of 
the  city  threw  up  their  batons  and  refused  to  serve  the 
government. 

Dudley  was  president  most  of  the  time  of  the  military 
commission  which  tried  and  convicted  Mumford,  who 
was  hung  by  General  Butler  for  tearing  down  the  flag 
on  City  Hall. 

In  July,  at  his  own  request,  he  was  relieved  from  this 
position,  and  ordered  to  join  General  Williams  at  Baton 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  235 

Rouge,  who  was  being  threatened  by  General  Brecken- 
ridge.  On  reporting  to  General  Williams  he  was  assigned 
to  a  brigade  of  six  regiments  of  infantry  and  two  bat 
teries  of  artillery. 

About  the  middle  of  July  Colonel  Dudley  was  ordered 
to  proceed  to  a  point  on  the  Mississippi  opposite  Vicks- 
burg  with  three  regiments  of  volunteers,  Nims's  Battery 
and  two  thousand  contrabands  for  the  purpose  of  turn 
ing  the  river  into  this  new  channel  and  thus  cutting  off 
the  city,  but  the  project  proved  a  failure,  as  the  waters 
of  the  Mississippi  soon  fell. 

On  the  2d  of  August  orders  were  received  to  aban 
don  the  work  and  for  the  forces  to  return  to  Baton  Rouge 
and  rejoin  General  Williams.  The  physical  condition  of 
the  troops  at  this  time  was  deplorable.  Malaria  had 
so  reduced  the  efficiency  of  the  command  as  to  make  it 
almost  worthless.  The  30th  started  on  this  expedition 
1 ,000  strong,  and  on  the  day  of  its  return  700  were  on  the 
sick  list  with  malarial  fever.  This  regiment,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  5th  of  August,  went  into  the  fight  with  800, 
the  men  getting  up  out  of  their  bunks  arid  falling  into 
the  ranks  absolutely  tottering  from  weakness.  As  soon 
as  the  troops  were  landed  they  prepared  to  receive  the 
rebels  under  Breckenridge,  who  had  assembled  his  forces 
on  the  Comite,  ten  miles  away.  Dudley  was  assigned  to 
the  right  wing  and  Nickerson  of  the  13th  Maine  to  the 
left  wing,  General  Williams  being  in  command.  Dudley's 
forces  consisted  of  the  2d  Illinois,  4th  Wisconsin,  6th 
Michigan,  7th  Vermont,  30th  Massachusetts  Volunteers, 
Nims's  and  Phillips  s  Batteries  with  one  company  of  Massa 
chusetts  Unattached  Cavalry.  General  Williams  was 
killed  in  the  third  assault,  after  which  two  additional 
assaults  were  made  by  the  enemy.  Upon  the  death  of 
Williams,  Dudley  assumed  command  and  finished  the 
fight  successfully,  driving  the  Confederates  back  to  their 
camp  on  the  Comite.  For  his  services  in  this  affair  he 
was  bre vetted  major  in  the  Regular  Army. 


236  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

In  the  fall  of  1862  he  was  relieved  of  his  command  at 
Baton  Rouge  and  appointed  inspector  general  of  the 
department  on  the  staff  of  General  Banks. 

On  the  organization  of  the  expedition  to  Texas  for  the 
purpose  of  capturing  Galveston  and  Brownsville,  he  was 
relieved  of  his  duty  as  inspector,  and  temporarily  ap 
pointed  chief  of  staff  with  Banks  and  accompanied  him 
on  that  expedition. 

On  returning  to  New  Orleans  he  was  ordered  to  Baton 
Rouge,  where  he  was  assigned  to  the  command  of  a  bri 
gade  under  Major-General  Augur,  and  was  employed  in 
organizing,  equipping  and  drilling  troops,  and  preparing 
for  the  advance  on  Port  Hudson  in  conjunction  with 
Grant's  forces  acting  against  Vicksburg. 

Drills,  grand  reviews,  parades  and  exercises  kept  all 
the  troops  active  until  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  was 
begun.  Dudley's  brigade  was  the  first  to  advance  and 
assumed  a  position  at  Merritt's  Plantation.  General 
Augur  arrived  at  Merritt's  Plantation  the  evening  of 
May  26,  but  did  not  assume  command  until  the  forces 
reached  Plains'  store  on  the  27th.  During  the  siege  of 
Port  Hudson,  Dudley's  forces  were  assigned  to  a  section 
of  the  line  to  the  right  of  the  road  leading  from  Port 
Hudson  to  Clinton,  and  his  troops  were  under  fire  nearly 
every  day  during  the  entire  siege.  As  soon  as  the  sur 
render  of  Gardner's  forces  was  announced,  Dudley's 
brigade  was  at  once  embarked  and  proceeded  to  Donald- 
sonville,  where  it  was  landed  and  moved  out  on  the 
Bayou  Lafourche  towards  Cox's  Plantation,  where  the 
forces  of  Pollonack  were  struck,  and  a  severe  battle  en 
sued  which  lasted  all  the  afternoon.  A  similar  force  had 
been  sent  to  the  south  bank  of  the  bayou  with  orders  to 
keep  abreast  of  Dudley's  column  on  the  north  side.  This 
force  on  the  south  side,  failing  to  support  him,  so  ex 
posed  his  left  flank  as  to  seriously  affect  his  advance  and 
cause  a  heavy  loss,  notwithstanding  he  held  his  position 
until  re-enforced  the  next  day  by  General  Weitzel,  who 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  237 

ordered  a  withdrawal  of  Dudley's  command,  and  Pol- 
lonack  was  allowed  to  retreat  to  his  original  position. 

After  a  brief  season  General  Dudley  was  again  ap 
pointed  inspector  general  of  the  Department  of  the  Gulf, 
and  ordered  to  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  actively  em 
ployed  in  the  inspection  of  the  forces  concentrated  at 
Carrollton  from  Vicksburg  and  Baton  Rouge,  preparatory 
to  the  Texas  expedition  under  Banks.  The  day  before 
the  embarkation  of  the  troops  for  Texas,  Dudley  was 
temporarily  assigned  as  chief  of  staff  and  accompanied 
General  Banks  on  this  expedition. 

On  returning  to  New  Orleans  he  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  4th  Brigade  of  Cavalry  and  set  about 
organizing,  equipping  and  drilling  this  command  for  the 
unfortunate  Red  River  campaign.  The  brigade  consisted 
of  the  2d  Illinois  Cavalry,  3d  Massachusetts  Cavalry, 
31st  Massachusetts  Infantry  equipped  as  cavalry,  and  the 
8th  New  Hampshire  Infantry  also  mounted  and  equipped 
as  cavalry,  with  two  regular  batteries  and  Nims's  Volun 
teer  Massachusetts  Battery. 

This  command  was  assigned  to  the  advance  in  the  Red 
River  expedition  and  occupied  the  front  line  at  the  battle 
of  Sabine  Crossroads  on  the  8th  of  April.  Had  the  troops 
forming  the  advance  line  on  that  day  been  supported  by 
the  troops  under  Franklin,  the  melancholy  disaster  to 
Banks's  forces  would  not  have  occurred.  The  result 
would  have  been  a  victory  instead  of  the  unfortunate 
defeat  and  misfortune  which  attended  that  campaign. 

Dudley  was  relieved  of  this  command  and  ordered 
again  to  Baton  Rouge,  where  he  commenced  the  organi 
zation  of  a  cavalry  force,  for  the  expedition  to  Mobile, 
which  did  not  leave  the  department.  At  his  own  request 
he  was  relieved  from  duty  in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf 
and  was  ordered  to  the  Department  of  the  Shenandoah, 
under  Sheridan,  and  en  route  through  Washington  he  was 
detained  by  General  Emory  and  placed  in  command  of 
2,000  convalescent  cavalry  and  sent  to  Monocacy.  There 


238  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  troops  were  distributed  among  their  respective 
regiments  and  Dudley  was  assigned  to  duty  as  chief  of 
staff  of  General  Emory.  In  less  than  a  month  he  was 
transferred  to  the  command  of  the  3d  Brigade  in  the 
2d  Division  of  the  19th  Army  Corps,  and  with  this  brigade 
and  one  other,  forming  one  command,  he  was  employed 
in  guarding  and  escorting  supply  trains  from  the  base  of 
supplies  to  Sheridan's  front,  against  the  attacks  of 
Mosby's  forces  which  annoyed  the  trains  passing  up  the 
valley. 

The  winter  of  1864  wearing  away  and  no  activity  going 
on  in  the  valley,  and  feeling  that  he  had  little  chance  of 
promotion  while  Stanton  was  Secretary  of  War,  he  asked 
to  be  retired  from  the  volunteer  service  and  ordered  to 
join  his  regular  regiment  under  General  Sykes.  Instead 
of  the  request  being  granted  he  was  ordered  to  report  to 
Major-General  Thomas  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  On  his 
arrival  at  General  Thomas's  headquarters  in  that  city  he 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  forces  stationed  at 
Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  consisting  of  western  regiments  num 
bering  over  6,000  men,  which  he  commanded  until  the 
end  of  the  war,  when  they  were  mustered  out. 

At  the  close  of  the  war,  instead  of  being  ordered  to  join 
his  regular  regiment,  as  he  personally  requested,  General 
Thomas  assigned  him  to  duty  as  commissioner  in  the 
Freedmen's  Bureau,  and  ordered  him  to  Memphis,  Tenn., 
relieving  Curtis  in  that  district.  For  six  months  and 
more,  notwithstanding  he  protested  against  this  assign 
ment,  and  frequently  asked  to  be  relieved  from  a  duty 
that  was  distasteful  to  him,  and  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  Gen.  O.  0.  Howard  had  him  relieved  twice,  he 
was  as  often  reinstated  by  President  Johnson  at  the 
request  of  General  Thomas,  commanding  the  department. 

This  district  of  the  Freedmen's  Bureau  comprised  fully 
one-third  of  all  the  ex-slaves  in  the  United  States.  On 
the  date  of  his  assuming  charge  of  the  bureau  at  Memphis 
over  100,000  slaves  were  living  in  idleness  and  filth  in 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  239 

and  about  the  city,  massed  together  in  sheds,  outbuildings 
and  in  the  open  fields,  regardless  of  sex,  as  promiscuous 
as  cattle.  In  less  than  thirty  days  these  colored  people, 
without  the  families  being  separated,  were  located  on 
plantations  working  on  written  contracts  made  by  Dudley 
for  a  stipulated  compensation. 

This  duty  ended  he  was  ordered  to  join  his  own  regi 
ment  in  the  Regular  Army,  the  15th  Infantry,  where  he 
was  employed  in  organizing  the  24th  Infantry. 

In  1867  he  was  transferred  to  the  cavalry  arm  of  the 
regular  service,  in  which  he  remained,  serving  in  the 
Department  of  the  Platte  and  in  the  Department  of 
Arizona  and  Texas,  constantly  occupied  in  scouting  and 
looking  after  the  Indians  of  our  great  West.  In  1878  he 
was  selected  to  take  command  of  the  district  of  Fort 
Stanton,  New  Mexico.  Great  disturbances  had  been 
going  on  there  for  a  long  time.  Over  one  hundred  murders 
had  taken  place.  Dudley  was  sent  to  regulate  these 
affairs.  It  resulted  in  his  taking  the  greater  part  of  his 
force  and  proceeding  to  the  county  seat,  Lincoln,  where 
he  found  two  opposing  parties  facing  each  other  and 
engaged  in  actual  fighting.  He  assembled  the  leaders 
and  told  them  that  under  the  act  of  Congress  he  could  not 
render  aid  to  the  civil  authorities  in  making  arrests,  but 
he  could  protect  the  Federal  buildings,  the  highways  and 
insure  the  transmission  of  the  mails;  that  he  had  come 
to  the  county  seat  for  this  purpose;  that  if  either  party 
fired  a  shot  into  his  command  to  wound  or  kill  one  of  his 
men,  he  would  open  his  artillery  on  the  building  from 
which  the  shot  was  fired.  He  remained  in  camp  in  the 
plaza  one  night,  during  the  darkness  of  which  a  large 
party  under  the  United  States  marshal  and  county  sheriff 
succeeded  in  driving  the  outlaws  from  their  stronghold, 
killing  some  eleven  of  their  number  and  burning  the 
buildings  they  occupied.  Not  a  shot  was  fired  by  one 
of  Dudley's  soldiers;  nevertheless  he  was  indicted  by  a 
Mexican  jury  for  the  eleven  murders  and  for  burning  the 


240  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

building.  The  indictments  for  murder  were  nol-prossed. 
He  was  tried  by  a  Mexican  jury  for  the  burning,  not  one 
of  whom  could  speak  a  word  of  English. 

The  government  at  Washington  furnished  counsel  to 
defend  him.  He  was  fully  sustained  in  his  action  by  the 
authorities.  General  Devens  was  Attorney-General  of 
the  United  States  at  the  time  and  gave  Dudley  loyal 
support,  as  did  General  Sherman,  commanding  the  army. 
The  course  followed  by  Dudley  ended  the  Lincoln  County 
riots.  That  section  of  the  country  is  as  quiet  and  orderly 
a  region  to-day  as  can  be  found  in  any  section  of  our 
isolated  territory. 

The  later  years  of  Dudley's  military  life  were  passed 
in  regulating  the  early  settlers  of  Oklahoma,  and  keeping 
the  Crows,  Sioux,  Cheyennes,  Apaches  and  Buttes  on 
their  reservation  up  to  1888,  when  he  was  retired  from 
active  service  at  the  age  of  sixty-four. 

Since  his  retirement  from  the  army  he  has  resided  at 
his  old  home  on  Dudley  Street,  Roxbury,  commanding 
the  universal  love  and  respect  earned  by  a  long  and 
honorable  military  career  in  the  service  of  his  country. 


APPENDIX 

CMRADE     MESSER  of   Company    C    and    the    writer 
visited  Baton  Rouge    and  Port  Hudson  in  1891,  and 
found  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Baton  Rouge  head 
stones    at    the    graves   of    the  following  comrades  who  were 
buried  there: 


Otis  F.  Preston,  Co.  A. 

George  Knowlton,  Co.  A. 

William  Tucker,  Jr.,  Co.  B. 

James  F.  Tucker,  Co.  B. 

Elam  W.  Burnham,  Co.  B. 
Nathaniel  W.  Pettingill,  Co.  B. 

Loring  Patch,  Co.  B. 

John  A.  Poole,  Co.  B. 

Jesse  Mills,  Co.  C. 

Melton  G.  Holt,  Co.  D. 

Tobias  Pinkham,  Co.  D. 

John  A.  Trull,  Co.  D. 

John  L.  Moore,  Co.  E. 

Jonathan  L.  Pillings,  Co.  E. 

Henry  B.  Wellman,  Co.  E. 

Jonas  C.  Brown,  Co.  E. 

John  F.  Moses,  Co.  E. 

Charles  H.  Stickney,  Co.  F. 

George  S.  Davis,  Co.  F. 

Harry  T.  Hunkins,  Co.  F. 


William  W.  Webster,  Co.  G. 

Joseph  Williams,  Co.  G. 

William  C.  Wallace,  Co.  G. 

Andrew  J.  Mackay,  Co.  G. 

George  F.  Lord,  Co.  H. 

George  F.  Bickford,  Co.  H. 

Nicholas  Skerett,  Co.  I. 

Milton  F.  Jewett,  Co.  K. 

William  O.  Sides,  Co.  K. 

Amos  Spofford,  Co.  K. 

Lyman  Floyd,  Co.  K. 

Charles  C.  Dresser,  Co.  K. 

William  Hunkins,  Co.  K. 

John  Parsons,  Co.  K. 

Thomas  O.  Blackburn,  Co.  K. 

Richmond  D.  Merrill,  Co.  K. 
Augustine  W.E.  Gurley,  Co.  K. 
Nathaniel  W.  French, 

Assistant  Surgeon. 
J.  Warner,  Signal  Corps. 


There  are  buried  in  the  National  Cemetery  at  Port  Hudson 
3,827,  of  whom  588  are  known  and  3,239  unknown. 


At  Christmas,   1863,  the  following  card  was  issued  to  the 
members  of  the  regiment  then  in  Philadelphia: 

THE  50TH  REGIMENT  MASSACHUSETTS  VOLUNTEERS, 

WELCOME   TO   THE    "  CITY   OF   BROTHERLY   LOVE." 

The  Union  Volunteer  Refreshment  Committee  wish  you  all  a 
Merry  Christmas  and  a  Happy  New  Year. 


242  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

ROSTER  OF  THE  FIELD,  STAFF  AND  LINE  OFFICERS  OF  THE 
DETACHMENT  OF  THE  50ra  REGIMENT  MASSACHUSETTS 
VOLUNTEERS  IN  1862  AT  PHILADELPHIA 

C.  P.  Messer,  Colonel 
John  W.  Locke,  Lieut.-Col. 
John  Hodges,  Jr.,  Maj. 
Henry  A.  Wentworth,  Adjt. 
William  Cogswell,  Surgeon. 
Henry  W.  Degen,  Quartermaster. 
Robert  Hassell,  Chaplain. 

COMPANY  G. 

George  W.  Edwards,  Capt. 
George  W.  Wallace,  First  Lieut. 
Andrew  F.  Stowe,  Second  Lieut. 

COMPANY  F. 

Samuel  W.  Duncan,  Capt. 
David  Boynton,  First  Lieut. 
Ira  Hurd,  Second  Lieut. 

COMPANY  C. 

Darius  N.  Stevens,  Capt. 
Samuel  C.  Trull,  First  Lieut. 
Frederick  Cochrane,  Second  Lieut. 

COMPANY  B. 

J.  S.  Ward,  Capt. 

Edward  W.  Philipps,  First  Lieut. 

William  H.  Hurd,  Second  Lieut. 

COMPANY  D. 

George  W.  Coburn,  Capt. 
Josiah  S.  Coney,  First  Lieut. 
Oramel  T.  Abbott,  Second  Lieut. 

Provost  guard  will  pass  the  members  of  the 
50th  Massachusetts  Regiment. 

BY  ORDER  OF  GENERAL  MONTGOMERY. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  243 

SOLDIERS'  GUIDE  TO  PHILADELPHIA 

ARRANGED    FOR   THE    5OTH    MASSACHUSETTS   VOLUNTEERS 

The  following  are  some  of  the  places  of  interest  to  strangers 
in  the  city: 

Independence  Hall,  Chestnut  Street  above  5th,  where  a  fine 
view  of  the  city  may  be  had  from  the  steeple. 

United  States  Mint,  Chestnut  Street  near  Broad. 

United  States  Custom  House  (formerly  United  States  Bank), 
Philadelphia  Bank,  Farmers'  and  Mechanics'  Bank,  New 
Post  Office  Buildings,  Chestnut  Street  above  Fourth. 

Merchants'  Exchange,  Newspaper  and  Telegraph  Offices,  and 
Post  Office,  Third  Street  below  Chestnut. 

Girard  College  and  Laurel  Hill.     Take  Ridge  Avenue  cars. 

United  States  Naval  Asylum.     Take  Pine  Street  cars. 

Penn's  Treaty  Tree.     Take  Third  Street  cars. 

The  Eastern  Penitentiary.     Take  Green  Street  cars. 

Philadelphia  Almshouse  and  Woodlawn  Cemetery,  West  Phil 
adelphia.  Take  Market  Street  cars. 

Academy  of  Natural  Sciences,  Broad  Street  below  Chestnut, 
adjoining  the  La  Piere  House. 

Academy  of  Music,  Broad  Street  below  Walnut. 

Academy  of  Fine  Arts,  Chestnut  Street  above  Tenth. 

Institution  for  Deaf  and  Dumb,  Broad  and  Pine. 

Institution  for  Blind,  Race  Street  near  Twentieth. 

Grave  of  Benjamin  Franklin  and  wife,  corner  Fifth  and  Arch. 

Christ  Church  (organized  1695),  Second  Street  above  Market. 

Swedes  Church  (organized  1677),  Swanson  below  Christian. 

St.  Peter's  Church  (organized  1758),  Third  and  Pine. 

Cathedral  of  St.  Peter  and  St.  Paul,  18th  Street  below  Vine. 

The  principal  Public  Squares  are  Independence,  Washington, 
Franklin,  Jefferson,  Penn,  Rittenhouse  and  Logan. 

Arch  Street  Theater,  Arch  above  Sixth. 

Walnut  Street  Theater,  Ninth  and  Walnut. 

Masonic  Hall,  Chestnut  below  Eighth  Street. 

Continental  Hotel  and  Girard  House,  Ninth  and  Chestnut. 

Carpenter's  Hall,  where  the  first  Congress  of  the  United  Colonies 
of  North  America  assembled,  Chestnut  below  Fourth  (back) . 

Stationery  and  accommodations  for  writing  can  be  had  free  of 
charge  by  applying  to  any  one  of  the  Committee. 

UNION  VOLUNTEER  REFRESHMENT  SALOON, 
Philadelphia,  Dec.  25,  1862. 


244  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

ORGANIZATION  OF  TROOPS  IN  THE  3D  MILITARY  DISTRICT,  DE 
PARTMENT  MISSISSIPPI  AND  EAST  LOUISIANA,  COMMANDED 
BY  MAJ.-GEN.  FRANK  GARDNER,  APRIL  30,  1863 


Maxey's  Brigade. 

Brig.-Gen.  S.  B.  Maxey  commanding. 

10th  Arkansas      Col.  A.  R.  Witt. 

4th  Louisiana Lieut.-Col.  W.  F.  Pennington. 

30th  Louisiana Maj.  Charles  J.  Bell. 

42d   Tennessee Lieut.-Col.  Isaac  N.  Hulme. 

46th  Tennessee Col.  A.  J.  Brown. 

48th  Tennessee Col.  A.  S.  Godwin. 

49th  Tennessee Maj.  D.  A.  Lynn. 

53d   Tennessee Captain  H.  Haymett. 

55th  Tennessee Col.  A.  J.  Brown. 

Texas  Battalion  Sharpshooters  Maj.  James  Burnet. 

Fenner's  (Louisiana)  Battery  Capt.  C.  E.  Fenner. 

Roberts's  (Mississippi)  Battery  Lieut.  F.  W.  Coleman. 

Watson's  (Louisiana)  Battery  Lieut.  E.  A.  Toledano. 


Beall's  Brigade. 

Brig.-Gen.  W.  N.  R.  Beall,  commanding. 

49th  Alabama Col.  Jeptha  Edwards. 

1st  Arkansas  Battalion    .    .  Lieut.-Col.  Bart.  Jones. 

llth  Arkansas Col.  John  L.  Logan. 

17th  Arkansas John  Griffith. 

12th  Arkansas Col.  T.  J.  Reid. 

14th  Arkansas Col.  F.  P.  Powers. 

18th  Arkansas Col.  R.  H.  Crockett. 

23d   Arkansas Col.  O.  P.  Lyles. 

15th  Arkansas Col.  B.  W.  Johnson. 

16th  Arkansas Col.  David  Provence. 

1st  Mississippi Col.  J.  M.  Simonton. 

39th  Mississippi Col.  W.  B.  Shelby. 

Co.  B,  1st  Miss.  Light  Artillery  Capt.  A.  J.  Herod. 

Co.  F,  1st  Miss.  Light  Artillery  Capt.  J.  L.  Bradford. 

Co.  K,  1st  Miss.  Light  Artillery  Capt.  George  F.  Abbay. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  245 

Gregg's  Brigade. 

Brig.-Gen.  John  Gregg  commanding. 

9th  Louisiana  Battalion.  50th  Tennessee. 

3d   Tennessee.  1st  Tennessee  Battalion. 

10th  Tennessee.  7th  Texas. 

30th  Tennessee.  1st  Missouri  Light  Battery. 

41st  Tennessee.  Brookhaven  Light  Battery. 

Ponchatoula. 

Col.  J.  M.  Simonton  commanding. 

McLaurin's  Battalion.  Herren's  Company. 

Cochran's  Command.  Lester's  Company. 

Cavalry  Command. 

Lieut.-Col.  George  Gantt  commanding. 

9th  Tennessee  Battalion     .    .  Maj.  James  H.  Akin. 

Garland's  Battalion     ....  Maj.  W.  H.  Garland. 

Hughes's  Battalion Lieutenant-Colonel  Wilbourn. 

Bryan's  Company Captain  Bryan. 

Gage's  Company Captain  Gage. 

Gonzales'  (Daigre's)  Company  Captain  Gonzales. 

Norman's  Company     ....  Captain  Norman. 

Stockdale's  Company  ....  Captain  Stockdale. 

Terrell's  Company Captain  Terrell. 

Unattached. 

9th  La.  Battalion  Partisan  Rangers      .     Maj.  J.  DeBaun. 
Rhodes's  Company Capt.  T.  C.  Rhodes. 

Heavy  Artillery. 

Lieut.-Col.  M.  J.  Smith  commanding. 

1st  Alabama Lieut-Col.  M.  B.  Locke. 

12th  Louisiana  Battalion    .    .     Lieut.-Col.  P.  F.  DeGournay. 

1st  Tennessee  Battalion  .    .     Lieut.-Col.  P.  F.  DeGournay. 

Provost  Guard  (Unattached  Companies). 

Lewis's  Company  Light  Infantry  .    .     Lieut.  C.  L.  Barrot. 
English's  (Mississippi)  Artillery    .    .     Lieut.  W.  W.  Wilkins. 


246  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

The  following  extract  is  from  the  Portland  Press  of  July  5, 
1893.  It  relates  to  Marcus  A.  Harma  of  Company  B: 

"Two  days  after  the  repulse  and  assault  of  June  14,  1863,  at 
Port  Hudson,  Sergeant  Hanna  was  detailed  to  bear  the  flag  of 
truce  over  the  plain,  thickly  strewn  with  the  dead  of  the  assault 
ing  column.  Major  Hodges  posted  him  within  some  fifty  yards 
of  the  rebel  works  with  the  order,  if  not  relieved  before,  to  retire 
with  his  flag  when  a  corresponding  flag  on  the  rebel  parapet  was 
lowered.  Darkness  overtook  the  burial  party,  and  with  treach 
ery  so  often  displayed  by  the  foe  here  it  began  firing  before  the 
sad  work  of  burial  was  finished.  The  Union  forces  replied  and 
the  sergeant  found  himself  caught  between  the  hostile  shots. 
He  made  good  his  escape,  however,  inside  the  Union  lines, 
where  he  promptly  reported  to  Major  Hodges,  who  apologized  for 
having  forgotten  the  sergeant. 

"July  4,  1863.  Sergeant  Hanna's  company  was  in  the  rifle 
pits  supporting  an  Indiana  battery.  The  distance  between  the 
battery  and  the  rebel  works  was  not  more  than  150  yards.  The 
sun  bore  down  on  the  men's  unsheltered  heads  with  intense  heat 
and  by  noon  every  canteen  was  dry.  Lieutenant  Kurd  asked 
for  volunteers  to  go  to  the  rear  for  water.  Sergeant  Hanna 
offered  to  try  it  alone.  A  dummy  put  up  to  test  the  rebel  aim 
and  temper  was  soon  pierced  by  bullets.  Taking  a  dozen  or  so 
of  canteens  he  left  the  trench  on  his  perilous  errand.  A  quarter- 
mile  of  level  open  plain  swept  by  rebel  sharpshooters  must  be 
passed  before  cover  was  gained.  When  half  the  distance  had 
been  covered  the  sergeant  fell  prostrate.  He  was  hit,  but  he 
afterwards  said  that  his  fall  was  only  a  ruse  to  deceive  the  foe 
and  stop  the  shooting.  It  succeeded.  In  a  few  minutes  he 
quickly  rose  and  ran  like  a  deer  for  the  nearest  shelter.  Return 
ing  he  used  greater  caution  and  his  mission  was  accomplished  at 
the  expense  only  of  a  buckshot  wound  in  the  calf  of  his  leg." 


A  REBEL  NARRATIVE 

Extracts  from  statements  of  a  rebel  officer  who  escaped 
from  Port  Hudson  while  the  surrender  was  taking  place: 

"General  Augur  advanced  from  Baton  Rouge,  May  20. 
General  Gardner  sent  out  Colonel  Miles  with  400  cavalry  and  a 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  247 

battery  towards  Plains'  store  where  he  encountered  the  enemy 
with  a  loss  of  thirty  killed  and  forty  wounded  on  our  side.  At 
night  our  force  fell  back  within  the  fortification.  At  the  same 
time  Colonel  Power's  cavalry,  300  strong,  were  engaged  on  the 
Baton  Rouge  and  Bayou  Sara  road,  about  two  miles  from 
Colonel  Miles.  From  the  22d  to  the  26th  the  enemy  were 
investing  our  works.  On  the  27th  assaults  were  made  on  our 
works  against  our  left  under  Colonel  Steedman,  and  on  the 
extreme  left  of  General  Beall  and  Colonel  Miles.  On  the  left 
the  attack  was  made  by  a  brigade  of  negroes,  about  three  regi 
ments,  together  with  the  same  force  of  white  Yankees,  across 
a  bridge  over  Sandy  Creek.  The  force  was  thrown  against  the 
39th  Mississippi,  Colonel  Shelby,  who  opened  upon  them  with 
musketry  and  artillery.  The  negroes  fled  every  way  in  perfect 
confusion  without  firing  a  gun.  The  1st  Alabama,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Locke,  and  the  10th  Arkansas,  Colonel  Witt,  engaged  the 
enemy  outside  the  works  until  driven  in.  Colonel  Johnson  with 
the  15th  Arkansas  occupied  a  hill  across  Sandy  Creek.  General 
BealPs  left  consisted  of  1st  Mississippi  and  49th  Alabama.  At 
sunset  the  firing  ceased  after  an  engagement  of  twelve  hours, 
the  enemy  repulsed  at  every  point. 

"  From  this  time  to  June  13  heavy  skirmishing  was  kept  up. 
On  June  14,  just  before  day,  the  fleet  and  all  the  land  batteries 
which  the  enemy  had  succeeded  in  erecting  at  100  to  300  yards 
from  our  breastworks  opened  fire  at  the  same  time.  Under 
cover  of  the  smoke  the  enemy  advanced  along  the  whole  line, 
and  in  many  places  within  ten  feet  of  our  works.  Our  brave 
fellows  were  wide  awake,  and  drove  them  back  with  'buck  and 
ball/  a  great  number  of  them  being  left  dead  in  the  ditches. 
Those  that  succeeded  in  getting  in  the  works  were  immediately 
killed.  After  a  sharp  contest  of  two  hours  the  enemy  were 
everywhere  repulsed.  After  this  repulse  General  Banks  sent 
no  flag  of  truce  to  bury  his  dead,  who  remained  exposed  three 
days  between  the  lines.  General  Gardner  directed  General 
Beall  to  send  a  flag  to  General  Augur  to  bury  the  dead  of  his 
division  which  lay  in  front  of  the  1st  Mississippi  and  49th 
Alabama.  Two  hundred  and  sixty  dead  bodies  were  handed 
over  to  the  Yankees  from  this  portion  of  the  works,  and  one 
wounded  man,  who  had  been  lying  there  three  days  without 
water,  was  flyblown  from  head  to  foot. 


248  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

"As  the  siege  continued  most  of  our  artillery  was  disabled 
and  about  fifteen  pieces  uninjured  at  the  time  of  surrender. 
The  enemy  must  have  fired  from  about  50,000  to  75,000  shot 
and  shell;  yet  not  more  than  twenty-five  men  were  killed  by 
these  projectiles.  About  the  30th  of  June  the  supply  of 
meat  gave  out,  when  General  Gardner  ordered  the  mules  to  be 
butchered,  learning  that  the  men  were  willing  to  eat  them. 
Many  caught  rats  and  ate  them,  declaring  that  they  wrere  better 
than  squirrels. 

"Some  time  between  the  20th  and  30th  of  June  a  singular 
circumstance  occurred  one  night  about  eleven  o'clock,  after  a 
heavy  fire.  The  water  commenced  to  run  up  stream  and  in 
half  an  hour  rose  six  feet.  One  of  the  river  batteries  was  carried 
away.  The  roar  of  the  water  could  be  heard  like  distant 
thunder.  It  may  have  been  an  earthquake.  No  notice  of  it 
has  appeared  in  any  Yankee  paper.  The  number  of  the  garrison 
that  surrendered  was  between  5,000  and  6,000,  of  whom  there 
were  not  more  than  2,000  effective  men  for  duty.  During  the 
siege  about  200  had  been  killed  and  300  wounded." 


THE  STORY  OF  A  MASONIC  PIN 

Comrade  S.  T.  Sweetser  of  Company  D,  Reading,  has  given  a 
personal  incident  of  his  campaign.  After  the  surrender  of  Port 
Hudson  he  exchanged  pins  with  a  brother  Mason,  a  rebel  in  an 
Arkansas  regiment.  "When  the  prisoners  were  paroled  they 
parted  as  Masons  do  with  a  division  of  pocket  money."  In  1891, 
while  working  in  Boston,  a  gentleman  called  and  asked  him  if 
he  had  ever  lost  a  pin.  He  replied  that  he  had  not  lost  one,  but 
had  exchanged  with  a  rebel  prisoner  at  Port  Hudson.  The 
gentleman  said  that  at  a  neighbor's  home  one  evening  some  one 
was  showing  a  Masonic  charm.  A  lady  present  said  that  among 
her  husband's  relics  there  was  a  pin;  she  went  and  got  it  for 
inspection.  It  was  round  and  on  the  back  was  the  inscription, 
"  S.  T.  S.,  Co.  D,  50th  Mass.  Vols."  The  lady  was  the  widow  of  a 
surgeon  that  had  charge  of  a  camp  of  rebel  prisoners  in  St. 
Louis,  and  had  taken  it  off  a  dead  prisoner's  blouse.  Comrade 
Sweetser  has  now  both  pins  in  his  possession. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  249 

From  the  New  Orleans  Era,  July  12,  1863 : 

CAPTURE  OF  PORT  HUDSON 

ADDITIONAL  PARTICULARS  —  MANNER  OF  THE  SURRENDER  —  THE 
NEWS  FROM  VICKSBURG,  AND  ITS  EFFECT  UPON  THE  REBELS 

From  a  number  of  naval  officers  who  were  at  Port  Hudson  at 
the  time  of  its  surrender  to  Major-General  Banks,  and  who  have 
since  returned  to  New  Orleans,  we  have  obtained  the  following 
particulars  in  regard  to  the  immediate  causes  that  led  to  its 
capitulation,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  brought  about. 
The  number  and  standing  of  the  gentlemen  with  whom  we  have 
conversed  on  the  subject  are  convincing  that  the  statement  is 
correct. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th  instant,  as  stated  in  the  dispatch  of 
our  correspondent  at  Port  Hudson,  a  salute  was  fired  from  both 
the  upper  and  lower  fleets  immediately  on  the  receipt  of  the 
news  from  Vicksburg,  and  the  bands  of  the  different  regiments 
struck  up  national  and  patriotic  airs.  The  wildest  enthusiasm 
prevailed  among  our  soldiers  all  day;  and  the  proximity  of  the 
contending  forces  enabled  the  rebels  in  Port  Hudson  to  hear  the 
cheering  without  enlightening  them  as  to  the  cause. 

At  several  points  on  the  lines  the  rebels  and  our  troops  were 
so  near  together  that  conversations  could  be  held  and  were 
carried  on  without  danger  to  either  party. 

Towards  evening  on  the  7th  the  curiosity  of  the  rebels  to  learn 
what  was  going  on  became  so  great  that  one  of  their  officers  called 
out  to  a  Union  officer,  asking,  "What  are  you  making  all  the 
noise  about?  "  The  answer  was,  "  We  have  taken  Vicksburg." 

The  rebel  officer  said  he  did  not  believe  it,  and  on  being  asked 
what  would  convince  him  of  its  truth,  replied,  "  Nothing  but  a 
copy  of  the  dispatch,  on  some  reliable  authority." 

The  Union  officer  then  told  him  he  would  procure  a  copy  of 
General  Grant's  official  dispatch  and  pass  it  over  the  parapet  to 
him.  The  rebel  said  if  he  would  do  so  and  vouch  for  its  genuine 
ness  on  his  honor  as  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier,  he  would  be 
convinced. 

The  Union  officer  at  once  procured  a  copy  of  the  dispatch, 
and  taking  it  to  the  enemy's  breastworks,  gave  it  to  the  officer 
with  whom  he  had  been  conversing,  and  at  the  same  time  assured 
him,  on  the  honor  of  a  soldier,  that  the  dispatch  was  genuine, 


250  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  that  he  had  copied  it  with  his  own  hand.  The  rebel,  having 
read  it,  said  he  was  satisfied  of  its  truthfulness,  and  that  he 
thought  it  useless  for  Port  Hudson  longer  to  attempt  to  hold 
out. 

Things  remained  in  the  same  position  as  previous  to  the  inter 
view  until  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  when  a  parley  was 
sounded  from  the  rebel  works,  which  was  answered;  and  an 
officer  came  out  with  a  dispatch  from  General  Gardner  asking 
on  what  terms  a  surrender  would  be  accepted. 

As  soon  as  the  message  could  be  conveyed  to  General  Banks, 
an  answer  was  returned  in  effect,  that  only  an  unconditional 
surrender  would  be  accepted. 

General  Gardner  accepted  the  terms  and  asked  a  few  hours  to 
make  the  necessary  arrangements.  He  was  given  twenty-four 
hours,  but  did  not  take  that  length  of  time.  At  twelve  M.,  on 
the  9th  of  July,  our  forces  entered  Port  Hudson  and  became  the 
masters  of  that  stronghold.  The  rebels  were  all  drawn  up  in 
line  of  battle  with  arms  stacked  in  front  of  them,  and  the  hungry 
soldiers  of  General  Gardner  were  promptly  fed  from  the  com 
missariat  of  our  army. 


TERRIBLE  SICKNESS  IN  THE  GARRISON 
DESTRUCTIVE    FIRE    OF  OUR    BATTERIES  —  LARGE    NUMBER    OF 

PRISONERS,    ETC. 

We  have  some  additional  details  in  regard  to  the  surrender 
of  Port  Hudson: 

The  surrender  was  tendered  on  the  8th  and  General  Banks 
marched  in  and  took  possession  on  the  9th. 

The  number  of  rebel  soldiers  drawn  up  in  line,  when  the 
surrender  took  place,  was  about  4,000. 

In  addition  to  this  number  there  were  about  1,500  sick  and 
wounded;  the  wounded  numbered  about  500.  The  wounds  are 
generally  very  severe,  in  the  head,  and  by  the  bullets  of  the 
sharpshooters. 

Our  batteries  have  done  a  great  deal  of  damage,  having  de 
stroyed  an  immense  amount  of  stores. 

The  United  States  flag  was  run  up  at  nine  o'clock  on  Thurs- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  251 

day  morning,  the  9th  inst.,  and  was  saluted  by  the  Hartford 
as  she  passed. 

There  had  been  terrible  sickness  in  the  garrison,  and  almost 
total  destitution  of  medicine.  They  suffered  terribly  from  this 
cause. 

There  was  a  good  supply  of  ammunition,  all  of  which  fell  into 
our  hands.  At  the  time  the  Hartford  left  Port  Hudson,  Gen 
eral  Banks  had  not  paroled  any  of  the  rebel  prisoners. 


ACCOUNT  OF  THE  REGIMENTAL   REUNIONS   TAKEN  FROM  THE 
RECORDS  OF  THE  SECRETARY,  CORPL.  GEORGE  H.  BLINN 

"At  a  meeting  of  Company  A,  50th  Regiment,  held  at  the 
Lafayette  House,  Salem,  Mass.,  May  27,  1880,  the  following 
committee  was  appointed  to  use  its  efforts  to  form  a  regi 
mental  association  and  to  invite  the  comrades  to  an  annual 
reunion:  George  W.  Langdell,  George  H.  Blinn,  Gilman  A. 
Andrews,  Jacob  R.  Loud,  Horace  A.  Brooks  and  William  H. 
Hall.  The  committee  organized  with  the  choice  of  George  H. 
Blinn  chairman  and  Jacob  R.  Loud  as  secretary  and  treasurer. 
All  of  the  officers  of  the  regiment  were  notified  and  requested 
to  give  their  opinion  as  to  the  feasibility  of  such  a  project. 
Answers  were  received  from  a  large  number  and  they  were  of 
such  a  character  as  to  warrant  the  committee  in  holding  the 
first  reunion  of  the  regiment.  Everything  was  done  by  the 
committee  to  make  the  reunion  a  success,  and  to  what  degree 
the  participants  were  best  able  to  judge.  The  comrades  as 
sembled  at  the  Ocean  House,  Revere  Beach,  Aug.  24,  1880, 
arriving  early,  enjoying  themselves  in  greetings,  and  living 
over  the  times  they  had  spent  together  seventeen  years  before. 
The  interval  was  filled  by  music  by  the  Salem  Brass  Band, 
assisted  by  our  old  band  leader,  Henry  H.  Johnston.  At  one 
forty-five  P.M.  157  comrades  sat  down  to  dinner,  and  at  the 
close  the  chairman  called  upon  Col.  C.  P.  Messer,  who  spoke 
to  the  comrades.  He  was  followed  by  Captain  Coburn  of 
Company  D,  Captain  Littlefield  of  Company  E,  Captain  Stevens 
of  Company  C,  Lieutenants  Bradstreet  and  Rundlett,  Com 
pany  K;  also  by  Comrades  W.  L.  Coon,  Chase  and  others. 


252  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Comrade  George  H.  Patch  of  the  19th  Regiment  made  a  stir 
ring  speech  in  favor  of  annual  reunions,  and  was  of  very  valu 
able  assistance  in  forming  the  association.  The  committee 
then  made  a  report,  showing  a  financial  balance,  and  reported 
recommending  the  formation  of  a  regimental  association. 
The  recommendation  and  report  being  accepted,  the  following 
officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year:  for  president,  Col. 
Carlos  P.  Messer;  for  first  vice-president,  Corpl.  Gilman  A. 
Andrews  of  Company  A;  for  second  vice-president,  William 
L.  Coon  of  Company  E;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H. 
Blinn  of  Company  A;  executive  committee,  William  W.  Tuttle, 
Company  A;  Lieut.  William  H.  Hurd,  Company  B;  Corpl. 
William  H.  Hurd,  Company  C;  Sergt.  Harley  Prentiss,  Com 
pany  D;  Corpl.  William  N.  Tyler,  Company  E;  Ira  O.  Sawyer, 
Company  F;  Walter  Goodrich,  Company  C;  Lieut.  Henry  T. 
Holmes,  Company  H;  Sergt.  Patrick  Kelley,  Company  I; 
Sergt.  Edward  P.  Wilder,  Company  K;  Bandmaster  Henry 
Johnston.  The  thanks  of  the  regiment  were  extended  to 
Company  A. 

"  July  9,  1881.  The  executive  committee  was  called  together 
by  Col.  C.  P.  Messer  to  take  into  consideration  having  a  brigade 
reunion  and  reception  to  Gen.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  and  a  com 
mittee  of  five  was  appointed  to  confer  with  a  like  committee 
from  the  30th  Massachusetts  and  Nims's  Battery.  The  com 
mittee  chosen  were  William  L.  Coon  of  Company  E,  William 
W.  Tuttle  of  Company  H,  Ira  0.  Sawyer  of  Company  F,  Sergt. 
Solomon  Nelson  of  Company  K.  A  number  of  meetings  were 
held  in  the  Sherman  House  with  committees  from  the  30th 
Massachusetts,  Nims's  Battery,  3d  Cavalry,  and  with  repre 
sentatives  of  the  4th  Battery.  A  committee  of  eight  was  ap 
pointed  to  make  all  arrangements.  It  consisted  of  two  each 
from  the  30th,  the  50th  Massachusetts,  the  3d  Massachusetts 
Cavalry,  and  Nims's  Battery.  The  brigade  reception  was 
held  in  Faneuil  Hall,  Sept.  5,  1881,  and  all  who  participated 
will  remember  the  grand  reception  given  General  Dudley,  our 
brigade  commander,  as  he  entered  the  hall.  After  the  recep 
tion  the  line  was  formed,  and  with  the  Boston  Cadet  Band  we 
took  up  the  line  of  march  to  the  boat,  thence  to  Downer's 
Landing,  where,  after  having  satisfied  the  inner  man,  the 
chairman,  Col.  Jonas  French,  called  the  comrades  to  order, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  253 

and  after  a  few  remarks  presented  to  Gen.  A.  N.  M.  Dudley, 
on  behalf  of  his  old  brigade,  an  elaborate  corps  badge.  The 
general  responded  in  a  very  thankful  and  appreciative  manner, 
after  which  stirring  and  enthusiastic  remarks  were  made  by 
Gen.  Nathaniel  P.  Banks,  Governor  Long  and  others.  The 
50th  Regiment  then  held  its  annual  meeting  and  chose  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year:  for  president,  Col.  Carlos  P.  Messer;  for 
first  vice-president,  Corpl.  Gilman  A.  Andrews  of  Company  A; 
for  second  vice-president,  Corpl.  William  L.  Coon  of  Company 
E;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Corpl.  George  H.  Blinn  of  Company 
A;  executive  committee,  William  W.  Tuttle  of  Company  A, 
Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Blatchford  of  Company  B,  Corpl.  William 
H.  Hurd  of  Company  C,  Sergt.  Harley  Prentiss  of  Company 
D,  Corpl.  William  N.  Tyler  of  Company  E,  Ira  A.  Sawyer  of 
Company  F,  Walter  Goodrich  of  Company  G,  Lieut.  Henry 
T.  Holmes  of  Company  H,  James  Connor  of  Company  I,  Sergt. 
Edward  T.  Wilder  of  Company  K,  Bandmaster  Henry  Johnston. 

"August  24,  1882.  The  reunion  of  the  regiment  was  held  at 
Salem,  Mass.,  and  there  were  129  comrades  present.  The  offi 
cers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were,  president,  William  L. 
Coon  of  Company  E;  first  vice-president,  Sergt.  Benjamin  F. 
Blatchford  of  Company  B;  second  vice-president,  Corpl.  Wil 
liam  H.  Hurd  of  Company  C;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George 
H.  Blinn  of  Company  A;  executive  committee,  with  the  officers, 
George  H.  Perkins  of  Company  A,  James  Breen  of  Company  B, 
Myron  W.  Messer  of  Company  C,  Corpl.  Samuel  T.  Sweetser 
of  Company  D,  Corpl.  Rufus  F.  Draper  of  Company  E,  Ira  0. 
Sawyer  of  Company  F,  Walter  Goodrich  of  Company  G,  Lieut. 
William  Daniels  of  Company  H,  James  Connor  of  Company  I, 
Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K.  At  this  meeting  it  was 
voted  to  extend  to  the  comrades  of  the  4th  Battery  an  invita 
tion  to  join  our  association. 

"August  24,  1883.  The  reunion  was  held  in  Haverhill.  The 
line  was  formed  at  the  depot,  and  the  march  taken  to  the  boat, 
The  City  of  Haverhill,  which  took  the  regiment  down  the  river 
to  Black  Rock,  and  returning,  arrived  in  Haverhill  at  three 
thirty  P.M.  The  regiment  marched  to  Hotel  Webster,  where 
the  comrades  satisfied  the  inner  man.  After  dinner  speeches 
were  made  by  Col.  C.  P.  Messer,  Dr.  William  Cogswell,  Capt. 
S.  W.  Duncan,  Lieut,  William  B.  Upton,  Lieut.  J.  P.  Bradstreet, 


254  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

and  Ira  0.  Sawyer  and  Comrade  Davis  of  the  5th  New  Hampshire 
Regiment.  Thanks  were  given  to  the  secretary  and  also  to 
Company  F  and  G  and  the  committee  for  making  the  reunion 
such  a  grand  success.  At  this  reunion  the  name  of  the  asso 
ciation  was  changed  to  the  50th  Regiment  and  4th  Battery, 
and  the  battery  to  be  allowed  one  man  on  the  executive  com 
mittee.  The  following  officers  and  executive  committee  were 
elected  for  the  ensuing  year:  president,  Lieut.  John  P.  Brad- 
street,  Company  K;  first  vice-president,  Capt.  George  W.  Taylor, 
of  the  4th  Battery;  second  vice-president,  Sergt.  John  M.  Poor, 
Company  F;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn,  Com 
pany  A;  executive  committee,  George  H.  Perkins  of  Com 
pany  A,  Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Blatchford  of  Company  B,  Lieut. 
Samuel  C.  Trull  of  Company  C,  Henry  W.  Eames  of  Company  D, 
Corpl.  Rufus  F.  Draper  of  Company  E,  Corpl.  Henry  H.  John 
son  of  Company  F,  Walter  Goodrich  of  Company  G,  Lieut. 
Henry  T.  Holmes  of  Company  H,  James  Connor  of  Company 
I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K,  William  M.  Peabody  of 
the  4th  Battery.  Number  present  108  of  the  50th  Regiment 
and  9  of  the  4th  Battery. 

"  August  29,  1884.  Reunion  held  at  Oak  Island.  We  formed 
a  line,  and  our  Brigadier-General  Dudley  was  escorted  to  the 
front.  He  received  a  hearty  reception  and  150  comrades  and 
invited  guests  sat  down  to  dinner,  after  which  speeches  were 
made  by  General  Dudley,  Colonel  Walker  of  the  4th  Massa 
chusetts  Regiment  and  others,  after  which  the  following  officers 
were  elected :  president,  Lieut.-Col.  John  W.  Locke ;  vice-presi 
dent,  Capt.  Cyrus  Hobbs  of  Company  H;  second  vice- 
president,  Capt.  Darius  N.  Stevens  of  Company  C;  third  vice- 
president,  Lieut.  Joseph  B.  Briggs,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and 
treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn  of  Company  A;  executive  committee, 
George  H.  Perkins  of  Company  A,  Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Blatch 
ford  of  Company  B,  Myron  W.  Messer  of  Company  C,  Sergt. 
Harley  Prentiss  of  Company  D,  Corpl.  Rufus  F.  Draper  of 
Company  E,  Ira  O.  Sawyer  of  Company  F,  John  H.  Taylor  of 
Company  G,  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry  of  Company  H,  Lieut. 
J.  J.  O'Gorman  of  Company  I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company 
K,  William  M.  Peabody  of  the  4th  Battery. 

"August  24,  1885.  The  reunion  of  the  regiment  was  held  at 
the  Ocean  House,  Nantasket  Beach.  After  the  dinner  the 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  255 

business  meeting  was  held  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected:  president,  George  H.  Perkins  of  Company  A;  first  vice- 
president,  Capt.  Darius  N.  Stevens  of  Company  C;  second 
vice-president,  Capt.  J.  Langdon  Ward,  Company  B;  third 
vice-president,  Lieut.  Joseph  B.  Briggs,  4th  Battery;  secretary 
and  treasurer,  Corpl.  George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  executive 
committee,  George  W.  Langdell  of  Company  A,  Sergt.  Benja 
min  F.  Blatchford  of  Company  B,  Alvin  W.  Hersey  of  Company 
C,  Sergt.  Levi  Swain  of  Company  D,  W.  D.  Deadman  of  Com 
pany  E,  A.  LeBosquet  of  Company  F,  John  H.  Taylor  of  Com 
pany  G,  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry  of  Company  H,  James  Con 
nor  of  Company  I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K,  William 
M.  Peabody  of  the  4th  Battery.  Comrades  and  invited  guests 
present  140. 

"August  24,  1886.  The  reunion  took  the  form  of  an  excur 
sion  to  Deer  Island,  Boston  Harbor.  The  regiment  had  the 
services  of  the  Salem  Cadet  Band.  Colonel  Whiting,  the  su 
perintendent  of  Deer  Island,  extended  many  courtesies,  and 
the  children  of  the  institution  gave  a  fine  exhibition  in  the  hall. 
After  having  seen  and  heard  all  there  was  to  see  and  hear,  we 
held  a  drumhead  election  on  the  lawn,  and  the  following  were 
elected  as  officers  for  the  year:  president,  Ira  O.  Sawyer  of 
Company  A;  first  vice-president,  Sergt.  Harvey  Prentiss  of 
Company  D;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn  of  Com 
pany  A;  committee,  William  H.  Campbell  of  Company  A, 
Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Blatchford  of  Company  B,  George  Jones  of 
Company  C,  Sergt.  Levi  Swain  of  Company  D,  Corpl.  William 
Tyler  of  Company  E,  Albert  LeBosquet  of  Company  F,  William 
Whittier  of  Company  G,  John  B.  Guelpa  of  Company  H,  Lieut. 
J.  J.  O'Gorman  of  Company  I,  Sergt.  Edward  P.  Webster  of 
Company  K,  William  M.  Peabody  of  the  4th  Battery.  After 
the  election  the  regiment  went  on  board  the  steamer  for  Boston. 
When  they  arrived  the  line  of  march  was  taken  to  the  Quincy 
House,  where  a  fine  banquet  was  held,  speeches  were  made  and 
the  band  rendered  some  fine  selections. 

"  August  24,  1887.  Assembled  at  the  Boston  &  Maine  Depot, 
Haymarket  Square,  and,  with  the  1st  Regiment  Drum  Corps, 
marched  to  Elks  Hall,  where  the  meeting  was  held,  and  the 
following  officers  were  elected  for  a  year  :  president,  Sergt. 
Benjamin  F.  Blatchford  of  Company  B;  first  vice-president, 


256  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Sergt.  Harley  Prentiss  of  Company  D;  second  vice-president, 
William  M.  Peabody,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer, 
George  H.  Blinn  of  Company  A;  committee,  William  H.  H. 
Palmer  of  Company  A,  Sergt.  James  Story  of  Company  B, 
Alvin  E.  Hersey  of  Company  C,  Nathan  B.  Fletcher  of  Com 
pany  D,  William  D.  Deadman  of  Company  E,  John  Downs 
of  Company  F,  William  Whittier  of  Company  G,  Corpl.  William 
S.  Henry  of  Company  H,  Lieut.  J.  J.  0 'Gorman  of  Company 
I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K,  Sergt.  B.  Frank  Smith, 
4th  Battery.  A  concert  was  given  by  the  drum  corps,  after 
which  the  line  of  march  was  taken  to  the  Quincy  House,  where 
a  banquet  was  served,  closing  with  speeches  from  Gen.  N.  P. 
Banks,  Gen.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  Captain  Rohan  and  Mr.  Spencer 
of  the  Boston  Herald  staff.  At  eight  P.M.  the  meeting  ad 
journed.  Total  present,  107. 

"Aug.  24,  1888.  The  annual  reunion  was  held  at  Rocky 
Point,  Narragansett  River,  R.I.,  partaking  of  a  clam-bake  and 
excursion  to  the  point.  After  the  dinner  a  business  meeting 
was  held,  and  the  following  officers  elected:  president,  Capt. 
Samuel  F.  Littlefield,  Company  E;  first  vice-president,  Myron 
W.  Messer  of  Company  C;  second  vice-president,  William  M. 
Peabody,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Corpl.  George 
H.  Blinn  of  Company  A;  committee,  Amos  Stillman  of  Company 
A,  John  L.  Woodbury  of  Company  B,  Sergt.  Francis  M.  Sweetser 
of  Company  C,  Corpl.  Samuel  T.  Sweetser  of  Company  D, 
Corpl.  William  D.  Deadman  of  Company  E,  Frank  McLaughlin 
of  Company  F,  Corpl.  David  R.  B.  Coffin  of  Company  G,  Corpl. 
Edwin  F.  A.  Brackett  of  Company  H,  Jeremiah  Murphy  of 
Company  I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K,  Sergt.  B. 
Frank  Smith,  4th  Battery.  Letters  were  read  from  Gen.  N. 
P.  Banks,  Col.  Henry  Walker  of  the  4th  Massachusetts  Regi 
ment,  and  Mayor  Robinson  of  Providence.  Remarks  were 
made  by  Captains  Stevens  and  Littlefield  and  a  stirring  address 
by  Captain  FitzBabson  of  the  23d  Massachusetts  Regiment. 
Comrades,  friends  and  invited  guests  present  numbered  168. 

"Aug.  26,  1889.  Annual  reunion  held  at  Nantasket  Beach 
and  Boston.  The  line  was  formed  at  the  Boston  &  Maine 
Depot,  Haymarket  Square,  and  headed  by  the  Salem  Cadet 
Band  marched  to  Rowe's  Wharf,  taking  the  steamer  to  Nan 
tasket  Beach.  On  arrival  went  to  the  Ocean  View  House  to 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  257 

have  a  lunch,  after  which  the  business  meeting  was  held,  and 
the  following  officers  were  elected :  president,  Myron  W.  Messer 
of  Company  C;  first  vice-president,  Sergt.  B.  Frank  Smith, 
4th  Battery;  second  vice-president,.  Corpl.  Henry  H.  Johnson 
of  Company  F;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Corpl.  George  H.  Blinn 
of  Company  A;  committee,  Amos  Stillman  of  Company  A, 
Sergt.  Benjamin  F.  Blatchford  of  Company  B,  Sergt.  Francis 
M.  Sweetser  of  Company  C,  George  W.  Cook  of  Company  D, 
William  L.  Coon  of  Company  E,  Frank  McLaughlin  of  Company 
F,  Corpl.  David  R.  B.  Coffin  of  Company  G,  Edward  P.  Briggs 
of  Company  H,  Jeremiah  Murphy  of  Company  I,  William  P. 
Bailey  of  Company  K,  Charles  B.  Newcomb  of  the  4th  Bat 
tery.  At  this  meeting  a  committee  was  appointed  to  procure 
a  badge  for  the  association.  The  trip  was  then  taken  back  to 
Boston,  and  the  regiment  marched  from  Howe's  Wharf  to  the 
United  States  Hotel,  where  a  banquet  was  served,  at  which 
speeches  were  made  by  our  old  commander,  Gen.  N.  A.  M. 
Dudley,  and  Captain  Cunningham  and  Lieutenant  Dickey  of 
the  3d  Cavalry.  Comrades  and  invited  guests  present,  131. 

"Aug.  25,  1890.  Reunion  at  Haverhill.  Excursion  down 
the  Merrimac  River  on  the  steamer  City  of  Haverhill  to  Black 
Rock,  where  the  business  meeting  was  held,  and  the  following 
officers  elected  for  the  year:  president,  Sergt.  John  M.  Poor, 
Company  F;  first  vice-president,  Amos  Stillman,  Company  A; 
second  vice-president,  Sergt.  John  F.  Hurley,  4th  Battery; 
secretary  and  treasurer,  Corpl.  George  H.  Blinn  of  Company 
A;  committee,  William  S.  Harris  of  Company  A,  Sergt.  James 
Story  of  Company  B,  Robert  K.  Brown  of  Company  C,  Sergt. 
Levi  Swain  of  Company  D,  Oliver  Walton  of  Company  E, 
Frank  McLaughlin  of  Company  F,  Corpl.  David  R.  B.  Coffin 
of  Company  G,  Edward  P.  Briggs  of  Company  H,  Jeremiah 
Murphy  of  Company  I,  William  P.  Bailey  of  Company  K, 
Charles  B.  Newcomb  of  the  4th  Battery.  A  return  was  made 
to  Haverhill,  and,  headed  by  the  Haverhill  Band,  the  regiment 
marched  to  Unity  Hall,  where  an  elegant  supper  was  served, 
after  which  President  M.  W.  Messer  called  the  comrades  to 
gether,  and  stirring  speeches  were  made  by  Capt.  S.  W.  Duncan 
of  Company  F,  Lieutenant  0 'Gorman  of  Company  I,  and  Com 
rade  W.  B.  Stevens  of  Company  C,  and  others.  Total  number 
present  of  comrades  and  invited  guests,  207. 


258  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

"April  19,  1891.  The  comrades  assembled  at  Odd  Fellows 
Hall,  Boston,  for  a  spring  reunion.  Fifty-four  of  the  comrades 
assembled  and,  after  enjoying  a  fine  banquet  and  discussing 
the  location  of  the  annual  reunion,  were  entertained  with  very 
interesting  remarks  from  Comrades  William  B.  Stevens  and 
Myron  W.  Messer,  who  had  visited  the  places  where  the  regi 
ment  had  done  service  in  Louisiana. 

"  Aug.  24, 1891.  Reunion  at  the  Ocean  View  House,  Nantasket 
Beach,  142  comrades  and  invited  guests  being  present.  The 
Salem  Cadet  Band  furnished  the  music  for  the  occasion.  Din 
ner  was  served,  and  at  the  close  the  business  meeting  was  held, 
and  the  following  officers  were  chosen  for  the  year:  president, 
Henry  H.  Johnson  of  Company  F;  first  vice-president,  Amos 
Stillman  of  Company  A;  second  vice-president,  Charles  Shat- 
tuck,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  Corpl.  George  H. 
Blinn  of  Company  A;  committee,  William  G.  Hammond  of 
Company  A,  William  H.  Grimes  of  Company  B,  Myron  W. 
Messer  of  Company  C,  Corpl.  Samuel  T.  Sweetser  of  Company 

D,  Oliver  Walton  of  Company  E,  Albert  LeBosquet  of  Company 

F,  Corpl.  David  R.  B.  Coffin  of  Company  G,  Edward  P.  Briggs 
of  Company  H,  Jeremiah  Murphy  of  Company  I,  Charles  W. 
Tenney  of  Company  K,  Sergt.  John  F.  Hurley  of  4th  Battery. 
After  the  meeting   rousing  and  patriotic  speeches  were  made 
by  Gen.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  Colonel  Parsons  of  the  10th  Regi 
ment,  Capt.  S.  W.  Duncan,  Ex-President  Myron  W.  Messer  and 
others,  closing  a  very  pleasant  reunion. 

"August  24,  1892.  The  reunion  was  held  at  Lakeview  Park, 
Lowell.  On  arrival  at  Lowell,  street  cars  were  taken  to  the 
park  and  a  sail  on  the  lake  brought  the  regiment  to  Mountain 
Grove,  where  the  business  meeting  was  held,  when  the  following 
officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year:  president,  Amos 
Stillman  of  Company  A;  first  vice-president,  Capt.  George  W. 
Taylor,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn  of 
Company  A;  committee,  Gilman  A.  Andrews  of  Company  A, 
William  H.  Grimes  of  Company  B,  Myron  W.  Messer  of  Company 
C,  Clarkson  Parker  of  Company  D,  Oliver  Walton  of  Company 

E,  Ira  O.  Sawyer  of  Company  F,  Walter  Goodrich  of  Company 

G,  Edward  P.   Briggs  of  Company   H,   Jeremiah  Murphy  of 
Company  I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K,  Lieut.  Joseph  P. 
Briggs,  4th  Battery.     At  this  meeting  Capt.  D.  N.  Stevens's 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  259 

death  was  reported,  and  Comrade  William  C.  Eustis  was  made 
historian  of  the  regiment.  Dinner  having  been  served,  the 
comrades  enjoyed  the  remarks  made  by  the  president,  H.  H. 
Johnson,  and  became  very  enthusiastic  over  the  speeches  of 
Gen.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  Col.  C.  P.  Messer,  Capt.  George  W.  Taylor 
of  the  4th  Battery,  Comrade  Perkins  of  the  Grand  Army  Record, 
Comrades  LeBosquet,  M.  W.  Messer,  W.  C.  Eustis,  B.  H.  Sawyer 
of  the  medical  staff,  and  the  newly  elected  president,  Amos 
Stillman.  Number  present,  144. 

"August  24,  1893.  Reunion  at  Gloucester  and  Rockport. 
On  arrival  at  Gloucester  the  regiment  was  met  by  the  Gloucester 
City  Band  and  escorted  to  the  armory  of  Company  G,  8th  Regi 
ment.  Here  the  comrades  were  called  to  order  by  the  president, 
Amos  Stillman,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  for  the 
year:  president,  Jeremiah  Murphy  of  Company  I  ;  first  vice- 
president,  Oliver  Walton  of  Company  E;  second  vice-president, 
Lieut.  Joseph  B.  Briggs,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer, 
George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  Gilman  A.  Andrews  of 
Company  A,  James  Breen  of  Company  B,  Charles  A.  Wentworth 
of  Company  C,  Sergeant  Levi  Swain  of  Company  D,  Reuben  L. 
Cooper  of  Company  E,  John  Downs  of  Company  F,  W.  F.  Pink- 
ham  of  Company  G,  Edward  P.  Briggs  of  Company  H,  James  D. 
Dunn  of  Company  I,  Charles  W.  Tenney  of  Company  K,  William 
M.  Peabody  of  the  4th  Battery.  At  12.05  P.M.  the  train  was 
taken  to  Rockport  and  on  the  arrival  there  the  line  was  formed 
and  the  regiment  marched  to  the  Square,  taking  barges  to  Turk's 
Head  Inn,  where  a  feast  was  had,  after  which  the  comrades  were 
called  to  order  and  listened  to  the  speeches  of  Colonel  Messer, 
Mayor  Andrews  of  Gloucester,  Rev.  W.  H.  Ryder,  Ex-Mayor 
Robinson  of  Gloucester,  Ex-President  H.  H.  Johnson  and 
President  Jeremiah  Murphy.  The  historian  made  a  report  of 
progress.  Sixty-five  comrades  were  present,  the  weather  being 
very  stormy. 

"At  the  reunion  Aug.  24,  1893,  the  following  letters  were 
received : 

YOUNG'S  HOTEL,  BOSTON,  Aug.  23,  1893. 
GEORGE  H.  BLINN,  ESQ., 

Secretary  50th  Regiment  and  4th  Battery  Association. 
Your  invitation  to  be  with  you  I  did  not  get  until  an  hour 
since  and  I  hasten  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  it.     I  have 


260  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

an  engagement,  but  may  be  able  to  get  off  and  come  down. 
I  always  enjoy  my  visits  to  the  old  comrades  most  hugely. 
I  realize  that  it  will  not  be  my  lot  to  be  with  you  on  many 
more  of  these  delightful  occasions.  I  turned  my  sixty- 
eighth  only  two  days  since.  Present  my  best  wishes  for  the 
health  and  prosperity  of  one  and  all  of  both  associations. 
God  bless  you. 

In  haste, 

DUDLEY,  your  old  commander. 

Letter  of  Capt.  George  W.  Taylor,  4th  Battery: 

LANCASTER  HOUSE,  LANCASTER,  N.H., 

August  21,  1893. 
BROTHER  BLINN. 

Friend  and  Comrade :  I  am  sorry  that  I  cannot  be  with 
you  on  Thursday  next.  I  had  made  an  engagement  which  I 
cannot  break,  and  it  is  not  possible  for  me  to  be  in  two  places 
at  once.  I  write  you  to  give  you  this  information.  I  wanted 
to  be  at  the  reunion  this  year  more  than  ever  before,  but 
have  been  euchred  out  of  it.  Please  make  all  the  excuse 
for  me  you  see  fit,  and  I  will  remember  you  for  it.  I  enclose 
a  few  lines  to  the  boys.  Give  it  to  them  if  you  think  suitable 
for  the  occasion. 

Yours  fraternally, 

GEORGE  W.  TAYLOR. 

LANCASTER,  N.H., 

Aug.  21,  1893. 

Mr.  President  and  Comrades  of  the  5Qth  Regiment  and  the 
4th  Light  Battery :  I  am  sorry  to  have  to  announce  that  I 
cannot  be  with  you  at  our  annual  reunion  at  Rockport  this 
year,  owing  to  a  previous  engagement  which  it  would  be 
neither  wise  nor  polite  for  me  to  break.  I  cannot  give  up 
the  very  agreeable  pleasure  of  meeting  with  my  old-time 
friends  on  that  occasion.  Comrades,  one  more  year  has 
passed  since  we  met  and  pressed  each  other  by  the  hand.  It 
has  brought  its  many  changes,  its  joys  as  well  as  its  sorrows. 
While  we  still  find  ourselves  in  the  land  of  the  living,  some 
of  those  who  met  with  us  last  year  have  passed  on  to  their 
final  home  within  the  vale;  others  have  wandered  to  other 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  261 

scenes  and  other  lands.    We  wish  them  a  pleasant  journey, 
wherever  they  may  be. 

It  is  ours  to-day  to  meet  and  talk  over  the  old  war 
days,  and  to  take  note  of  the  flight  of  time,  and  the  many 
gaps  made  in  the  once  full  ranks  of  men  who  stood  with 
us  before  our  country's  common  enemy.  Alas,  more  than 
half  of  the  men  who  left  old  Massachusetts  with  us  are  now 
within  their  graves;  more  than  half  the  men  who  marched 
with  us  have  been  called  home.  Tread  lightly  where  they 
sleep,  and  let  the  silent  tear  fall  upon  the  green  sod  that 
covers  our  heroes'  graves.  They  peacefully  sleep  after 
the  long,  weary  days  of  toil,  and  the  noise  and  din  of  battle 
has  passed.  Tireless  marches,  sleepless  nights,  with  no 
covering  except  God's  own  canopy;  sickness,  wounds 
and  death  are  all  overcome,  and  the  reward  is  earned,  the 
great  debt  is  paid.  Let  us  renew  here  to-day  the  promise 
to  stand  one  by  the  other,  to  help  and  aid  each  other,  ever 
keeping  in  view  the  great  principles  for  which  we  fought, 
and  for  which  so  many  of  our  comrades  laid  down  their 
lives.  Let  us  see  to  it  that  the  fruits  of  the  victory  which 
we  won  after  four  long  years  are  not  taken  from  us  or  our 
children,  and  as  we  shall  meet  from  year  to  year  may 
harmony  and  good  feeling  be  the  prevailing  sentiment  of 
all  our  deliberations.  Soldiers  of  the  50th  Regiment  and 
4th  Light  Battery,  you  were  all  weighed  in  the  balance  and 
not  found  wanting.  In  all  the  armies  of  the  United  States 
no  braver  or  better  men  could  be  found.  You  did  all  that 
was  required  of  you  and  you  did  it  well.  You  did  your 
share  in  opening  the  Mississippi  River  from  its  mouth  to 
Vicksburg  and  thereby  sundered  the  seceded  states,  and 
this  gave  the  death  blow  to  all  the  bright  hopes  of  the 
rebel  Confederacy,  and  assured  the  final  triumph  of  the 
Union.  Well  may  you  be  proud  of  your  record  and  the 
honorable  share  you  took  in  the  battles  fought  for  freedom. 
Yours  as  ever, 

GEORGE  W.  TAYLOR. 

"  Aug.  24,  1894.  Reunion  at  the  United  States  Hotel,  Boston. 
The  business  meeting  was  held  and  the  following  officers  elected 
for  the  year:  president,  Col.  Carlos  P.  Messer;  first  vice-presi- 


262  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

dent,  Henry  D.  Degen  of  the  50th;  second  vice-president,  Wil 
liam  M.  Peabody,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George 
H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  William  G.  Hammond, 
Company  A ;  Solomon  Choate,  Company  B ;  Myron  W.  Messer, 
Company  C  ;  George  W.  Cook,  Company  D;  Sergt.  George  K. 
Gilman,  Company  E ;  Jackson  Hayes,  Company  F ;  Walter 
Goodrich,  Company  G  ;  Augustus  Durgin,  Company  H  ;  John 
Dee,  Company  I;  Charles  W.  Tenney,  Company  K ;  Charles  B. 
Newcomb,  4th  Battery. 

"The  historian,  W.  C.  Eustis,  having  died  during  the  year, 
the  Historical  Committee,  with  the  approval  of  the  association, 
selected  William  B.  Stevens  of  Company  C  as  historian.  Num 
ber  present,  79  members.  Banquet  served  at  the  close  of  the 
meeting.  Music  by  the  Verdi  Quartette. 

"Aug.  24,  1895.  Reunion  at  the  Ocean  View  House,  Nan- 
tasket  Beach.  At  this  reunion  many  of  the  comrades  took 
their  wives  or  some  member  of  their  families.  After  the  sail 
down  Boston  Harbor  the  regiment  went  to  the  Ocean  View 
House  and  had  its  dinner,  after  which  a  business  meeting  was 
held,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected:  president,  Henry 
D.  Degen,  Quartermaster;  first  vice-president,  George  W.  Cook, 
Company  D;  second  vice-president,  Charles  W.  Newcomb,  4th 
Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn,  Company 
A;  committee,  William  G.  Hammond,  Company  A;  Robert 
Butterworth,  Company  B;  Corpl.  William  H.  Kurd,  Company 
C;  Sergt.  Levi  Swain,  Company  D;  Oliver  Walton,  Company  E; 
Ira  0.  Sawyer,  Company  F;  Walter  Goodrich,  Company  G; 
Corpl.  William  S.  Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Com 
pany  I;  Corpl.  Nathaniel  D.  Pierce,  Company  K;  Alonzo  0. 
Ramsdell,  4th  Battery.  Comrade  Myron  W.  Messer  made  a 
report  of  progress  on  the  history.  There  were  present  61 
comrades  and  43  members  of  comrades'  families. 

"Sept.  3,  1896.  Reunion  was  held  at  the  Pentucket  Club, 
Haverhill,  where  a  lunch  was  served  and  the  business  meeting 
held,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  year:  pres 
ident,  Ira  O.  Sawyer  of  Company  F;  first  vice-president,  John 
F.  Watson,  Company  H;  second  vice-president,  A.  O.  Rams- 
dell,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn, 
Company  A;  committee,  William  G.  Hammond,  Company  A; 
William  G.  Grimes,  Company  B;  Myron  W.  Messer,  Company 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  263 

C;  George  W.  Cook,  Company  D;  Capt.  S.  F.  Littlefield,  Com 
pany  E;  Philip  C.  Swett,  Company  F;  Walter  Goodrich,  Com 
pany  G;  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah 
Murphy,  Company  I;  Corpl.  Nathaniel  D.  Pierce,  Co.  K;  Henry 
M.  Clark,  4th  Battery.  Electric  cars  were  taken  to  the  Pines, 
where  dinner  was  served.  Number  present  at  the  dinner,  116. 

"Sept.  2,  1897.  The  reunion  was  held  at  Salem,  the  busi 
ness  meeting  being  held  in  the  hall  of  Post  34,  G.A.R.,  and  the 
following  officers  were  elected  for  the  year:  president,  A.  O. 
Ramsdell  of  the  4th  Battery;  first  vice-president,  Walter  Good 
rich,  Company  G;  second  vice-president,  Oliver  Walton,  Com 
pany  E;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn,  Company 
A;  committee,  Horace  A.  Brooks,  Company  A;  John  L.  Wood- 
bury,  Company  B;  George  Jones,  Company  C;  Sergt.  Levi 
Swain,  Company  D;  William  L.  Coon,  Company  E;  Frank 
McLaughlin,  Company  F;  Hiram  H.  Farnham,  Company  G; 
Corpl.  William  S.  Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy, 
Company  I;  Charles  W.  Tenney,  Company  K;  Sergt.  B.  Frank 
Smith,  4th  Battery. 

"Electric  cars  were  taken  to  the  Willows  and  thence  to  the 
Ocean  View  House,  where  dinner  was  served,  at  the  close  of  which 
speeches  were  made  by  Gen.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  Senator  J.  D.  H. 
Gauss,  E.  O.  Foster  of  the  Boston  Globe,  and  Joseph  F.  Pitman, 
Commander  of  Post  34,  G.A.R,  Then  the  historian,  William  B. 
Stevens,  gave  a  short  synopsis  of  the  history  and  account  of 
his  travels.  Number  present,  including  invited  guests,  58. 

"Sept.  1,  1898.  Reunion  held  at  Lake  view  Park,  Lowell. 
The  business  meeting  was  held,  and  the  following  officers  elected 
for  the  year:  president,  Oliver  Walton,  Company  E;  first  vice- 
president,  Frank  McLaughlin,  Company  F;  second  vice-president, 
Sergt.  John  F.  Hurley,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer, 
George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  George  H.  Perkins, 
Company  A;  J.  Warren  Chadwick,  Company  B;  James  W. 
Kurd,  Company  C ;  Otis  Harnden,  Company  D ;  William  L.  Coon, 
Company  E;  James  Ryan,  Company  F;  Sergt.  Royal  D.  Gould, 
Company  G;  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah 
Murphy,  Company  I;  Charles  S.  Parker,  Company  K;  Henry  M. 
Clark,  4th  Battery.  At  this  reunion  the  date  of  the  reunions  was 
changed  to  the  last  Thursday  in  August.  Number  present,  45. 

"Aug.  31,   1899.     The  reunion  was  held  at  Haverhill,  the 


264  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

business  meeting  being  held  in  the  rooms  of  Major  Howe  Post 
47,  G.A.R.,  and  the  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  year: 
president,  Ira  O.  Sawyer  of  Company  F;  first  vice-president, 
Corpl.  D.  R.  B.  Coffin  of  Company  G;  second  vice-president, 
Lieut.  Edward  T.  Jameson,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treas 
urer,  George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  Corpl.  Gilman 
A.  Andrews,  Company  A;  Lieut.  William  H.  Hurd,  Company 
B;  Corpl.  William  H.  Hurd,  Company  C;  Sergt.  Levi  Swain, 
Company  D;  Benjamin  T.  Brown,  Company  E;  John  Fitz- 
patrick,  Company  F;  Ezra  Hoyt,  Company  G;  George  K. 
Proctor,  Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Company  I;  Charles 
S.  Parker,  Company  K;  Sergt.  John  F.  Hurley,  4th  Battery. 
After  the  business  meeting  the  association  adjourned  to  the  Pines, 
taking  the  electrics  and,  after  the  dinner,  took  the  steamer  for 
a  sail  down  the  Merrimac  River.  Total  number  present,  84. 

"Aug.  30,  1900.  Reunion  held  in  Salem,  assembling  at  the 
hall  of  Post  34,  G.A.R.,  where  the  business  meeting  was  held, 
and  the  following  elected  as  officers  for  the  year:  president, 
Frank  McLaughlin  of  Company  F;  first  vice-president,  John  P. 
Allen,  4th  Battery;  second  vice-president,  Sergt.  Henry  T. 
Holmes,  Company  H ;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn, 
Company  A;  committee,  Corpl.  Gilman  A.  Andrews,  Company 
A;  Lieut.  William  H.  Hurd,  Company  B;  James  W.  Hurd, 
Company  C;  Henry  L.  Bancroft,  Company  D;  Oliver  Walton, 
Company  E;  Sergt.  John  M.  Poor,  Company  F;  Walter  Good 
rich,  Company  G;  George  K.  Proctor,  Company  H;  Jeremiah 
Murphy,  Company  I;  Corpl.  John  G.  Scates,  Company  K; 
Henry  Davidson,  4th  Battery.  After  the  meeting  adjourned 
the  comrades  went  by  electrics  to  Salem  Willows,  part  t along 
a  trip  on  the  steamer  for  a  sail  in  the  harbor  and  part  taking  in 
the  show  at  the  theater.  Number  present,  38. 

"Aug.  29,  1901.  Reunion  at  the  United  States  Hotel,  Bos 
ton.  A  banquet  and  business  meeting  was  held,  and  the  fol 
lowing  officers  elected:  president,  Walter  Goodrich,  Company 
G;  first  vice-president,  Oliver  Walton,  Company  E;  second  vice- 
president,  Sergt.  Charles  B.  Newcomb,  4th  Battery;  secretary 
and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  James 
E.  Trask,  Company  A;  John  L.  Woodbury,  Company  B;  Rob 
ert  Bower,  Company  C;  Corpl.  William  Buck,  Company  D; 
William  D.  Deadman,  Company  E;  Ira  O.  Sawyer,  Company 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  265 

F;  John  H.  Taylor,  Company  G;  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry, 
Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Company  I;  Charles  S.  Parker, 
Company  K;  John  E.  Huntress,  4th  Battery.  The  dinner  par 
taken  of  at  the  hotel,  the  elevated  cars  were  taken  to  the  Na- 
hant  boat  for  an  excursion  to  Bass  Point.  This  was  intended 
to  have  been  a  banquet  and  reunion  complimentary  to  Gen. 
N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  but  he  being  confined  to  his  bed  by  sickness, 
the  association  sent  its  regrets  and  sympathies,  hoping  for  a 
speedy  recovery.  Present,  75. 

"Aug.  28,  1902.  Reunion  held  in  Haverhill  at  the  Major 
Howe  Post  47,  G.A.R.  Hall  and  at  the  Pines.  The  business 
meeting  was  held  in  the  G.A.R.  Hall,  and  the  following  officers 
elected  for  the  year:  president,  Sergt.  John  F.  Hurley,  4th  Bat 
tery;  first  vice-president,  Sergt.  Benjamin  T.  Blatchford,  Com 
pany  B;  second  vice-president,  B.  Addison  Sawyer,  hospital 
steward  of  the  50th;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn, 
Company  A;  committee,  George  0.  Stevens,  Company  A;  John 
L.  Woodbury,  Company  B;  Robert  Bower,  Company  C;  Sergt. 
Levi  Swain,  Company  D;  Reuben  S.  Cooper,  Company  E; 
James  Ryan,  Company  F;  John  H.  Taylor,  Company  G;  Corpl. 
William  S.  Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Company 
I;  Daniel  W.  Hall,  Company  K;  James  P.  Hennessey,  4th 
Battery.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  electrics  were  taken  for 
the  Pines,  where  dinner  was  served,  57  being  present. 

"Aug.  27,  1903.  The  annual  reunion  and  dinner  was  held  at 
Canobie  Lake  Park,  Salem,  N.H.  The  business  meeting  was 
held  in  the  grove  and  resulted  in  the  election  of  the  following 
officers  for  the  year:  president,  Benjamin  H.  Sawyer,  non-com 
missioned  staff,  50th;  first  vice-president,  Sergt.  Benjamin  F. 
Blatchford,  Company  B;  second  vice-president,  Sergt.  Levi 
Swain,  Company  D;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn, 
Company  A;  committee,  Corpl.  Gilman  A.  Andrews,  Company 
A;  James  W.  Chadwick,  Company  B;  Robert  Bower,  Company 
C;  Clarkson  Parker,  Company  D;  Oliver  Walton,  Company  E; 
Albert  LeBosquet,  Company  F;  William  R.  Clough,  Company  G; 
Edward  P.  Briggs,  Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Company 
I;  William  P.  Bailey,  Company  K;  Charles  B.  Newcomb,  4th 
Battery.  At  the  dinner  70  comrades  and  19  ladies  sat  down. 

"Aug.  18,  1904.  Reunion  and  dinner  at  the  Nantasket  Point 
Hotel.  This  reunion  was  called  earlier  on  account  of  its  being 


266  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

the  annual  convention  of  the  G.A.R.  The  meeting  was  called 
to  order  by  the  vice-president,  Levi  Swain  of  Company  D, 
and  the  following  were  elected  as  officers  for  the  year :  president, 
Henry  D.  Degen,  Quartermaster  of  the  50th;  first  vice-president, 
Oliver  Walton,  Company  E;  second  vice-president,  Sergt.  Charles 
B.  Newcomb,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H. 
Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  James  N.  Skinner,  Company 
A;  James  M.  Breen,  Company  B;  Alvin  E.  Hersey,  Company  C; 
Clarkson  Parker,  Company  D;  Sergt.  Charles  F.  Hartshorn, 
Company  E;  John  Downes,  Company  F;  Walter  Goodrich, 
Company  G;  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah 
Murphy,  Company  I;  Charles  S.  Parker,  Company  K;  James 
P.  Hennessey,  4th  Battery.  There  were  53  present,  among 
them  being  Lieut.  William  B.  Upton  from  Denver,  Colo.,  and 
Edward  Parker  of  Company  D,  from  Longmont,  Colo. 

"Aug.  31,  1905.  Reunion  and  dinner  held  at  Nantasket 
Point  Hotel.  The  business  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  the 
president,  Quartermaster  Henry  D.  Degen,  and  the  following 
officers  elected  for  the  year:  president,  Gilman  A.  Andrews  of 
Company  A;  first  vice-president,  James  M.  Breen  of  Company 
B;  second  vice-president,  Sergt.  Charles  B.  Newcomb,  4th  Bat 
tery;  secretary  and  treasurer,  George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A; 
committee,  Amos  Stillman,  Company  A;  Thaddeus  Giles,  Com 
pany  B;  Alvin  E.  Hersey,  Company  C;  Sergt.  Levi  Swain, 
Company  D;  Oliver  Walton,  Company  E;  James  Howe,  Com 
pany  F;  Oliver  S.  Hubbard,  Company  G ;  Corpl.  William  S.  Henry, 
Company  H ;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Company  I ;  Charles  S.  Parker, 
Company  K ;  John  E.  Huntress,  4th  Battery.  Dinner  was  served, 
there  being  42  present. 

"Aug.  31,  1906.  The  reunion  was  held  at  Salem  in  the  hall 
of  Phil  H.  Sheridan  Post  34,  G.A.R.  The  50th  Regiment  held 
a  meeting  in  regard  to  the  history.  The  secretary  read  a  letter 
from  the  historian  that  the  history  was  about  completed,  lack 
ing  the  cuts  and  sketches  of  the  service  of  the  officers.  The 
recommendations  of  the  historian,  Judge  William  B.  Stevens,  in 
his  letter  were  accepted,  and  it  was  voted  to  give  him  full 
powers,  the  secretary  being  chosen  to  assist  him.  The  meeting 
adjourned  for  dinner,  which  was  furnished  by  the  W.R.C.  of 
Post  34,  G.A.R.,  Comrade  Rev.  Mr.  Blackburn  offering  prayer. 
At  the  close  the  business  meeting  was  held,  and  the  following 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  267 

officers  chosen  by  unanimous  vote.  They  were  as  follows: 
president,  Oilman  A.  Andrews,  Company  A ;  first  vice-president, 
James  M.  Breen,  Company  B;  second  vice-president,  Sergt. 
Charles  B.  Newcomb,  4th  Battery;  secretary  and  treasurer, 
George  H.  Blinn,  Company  A;  committee,  Amos  Stillman, 
Company  A;  Alvin  E.  Hersey,  Company  C;  Sergt.  Levi  Swain, 
Company  D;  Oliver  Walton,  Company  E;  James  Howe,  Com 
pany  F;  Oliver  S.  Hubbard,  Company  G;  Corpl.  William  S. 
Henry,  Company  H;  Jeremiah  Murphy,  Company  I;  Charles  S. 
Parker,  Company  K;  John  E.  Huntress,  4th  Battery.  The 
meeting  then  resolved  itself  into  a  camp-fire.  Letters  were 
read  from  Gen.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley,  Judge  and  Comrade  William 
B.  Stevens,  historian,  Assistant  Surgeon  Dr.  W.  S.  Hancock 
of  Barre,  Mass.,  Lieut.  T.  H.  Manning  of  Orleans,  Neb.,  D. 
A.  Stevens  of  York,  Me.,  W.  W.  Tucker  of  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  and 
a  cablegram  from  W.  R.  Clough,  Lucerne,  Switzerland.  After 
the  letters  had  been  read,  remarks  were  made  by  the  president, 
Gilman  A.  Andrews,  on  the  service  of  the  regiment.  Speeches 
were  made  by  Comrades  Blackburn,  Perkins,  Commander  of 
Post  74,  G.A.R.,  Lieutenant  Jameson,  Sergt.  John  F.  Hurley 
and  others,  interspersed  with  recitations  from  Comrade  C.  H. 
Faye  and  one  of  the  old-time  songs  by  Comrade  Cole  of  Com 
pany  H.  Number  present,  including  invited  guests,  70." 


COMPANY  A 

Company  A,  one  of  the  oldest  militia  organizations  in  the 
state,  was  organized  and  chartered  May  1,  1805.  June  8,  1804, 
the  following  notice  appeared  in  the  Salem  Gazette: 

"Attention  —  The  subscribers  to  the  proposed  Salem  Light 
Infantry  are  requested  to  meet  at  Mr.  Crombie's  tavern  on 
Monday  evening  next  at  eight  o'clock.  A  general  and  punctual 
attendance  is  requested,  as  business  of  importance  is  to  be 
transacted." 

March  5,  1805,  this  notice  appeared : 

"  Notice  —  The  members  of  the  Salem  Light  Infantry  Com 
pany  are  requested  to  meet  at  'The  Sign  of  the  Ship'  this 
evening  at  half  past  six  o'clock.  A  punctual  and  general  at 
tendance  is  expected. 

BY  ORDER  OF  THE  COMMITTEE." 


268  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

The  first  printed  notification: 

"Attention  —  You  are  hereby  notified  that  a  meeting  of  the 
members  of  the  Salem  Light  Infantry  will  be  held  at  Crombie's 
Hall  this  evening  at  half  past  seven  o'clock  for  the  choice  of  a 
captain  to  said  company.  Your  punctual  attendance  is  hereby 
requested. 

By  order  of  the  committee, 

JAMES  KING,  JR.,  Secretary." 

Salem,  April  8,  1805.  At  that  time  their  rules  provided  for 
the  following  officers:  one  captain,  one  lieutenant,  one  ensign, 
four  corporals,  four  sergeants,  and  not  more  than  sixty-four 
privates  exclusive  of  two  drummers  and  two  fifers.  The  uni 
form  prescribed  was  a  short  blue  coat,  white  kerseymere  waist 
coat  and  pantaloons,  the  coat  faced  with  superfine  scarlet 
broadcloth,  with  small  flat  double  gilt  buttons,  and  button 
holes  ornamented  with  gold  vellum;  blue  straps  on  the  shoul 
ders  edged  with  red,  the  skirts  faced  with  scarlet  kerseymere 
to  the  pockets,  to  slant  with  the  fold  of  the  coat,  the  skirt 
and  welts  edged  with  red,  four  buttons  on  each  welt;  the  cuffs 
scarlet,  with  four  large  gilt  buttons;  the  vest  single-breasted, 
edged  with  scarlet,  and  small  gilt  buttons  ;  the  pantaloons 
edged  and  seamed  with  scarlet ;  the  gaiters  of  black  broadcloth, 
with  buttons  covered  with  the  same,  and  edged  with  scarlet. 
Square-toed  shoes,  white  cotton  cambric  handkerchiefs,  over 
which  a  black  silk  made  stock,  tied  behind  so  as  to  cover  three- 
fourths  of  the  handkerchief,  leaving  the  upper  part  bare,  plain 
shirt  with  plaited  bosom  made  full.  Grecian  cap  with  brass 
crest,  and  red  hair  falling  down  on  the  right  side,  cap  bound 
with  scarlet  and  a  scarlet  bandeau  to  go  around  the  cap,  orna 
mented  with  gold  cord,  a  black  cockade,  yellow  eagle,  yellow 
button,  and  gold  cord  loop.  In  the  front  of  the  cap  the  letters 
in  cipher,  S.  L.  I.  The  belts  for  the  cartridge  box  and  bayonet 
of  white  leather.  The  cartridge  boxes  highly  polished  and 
brass  star  in  the  center.  The  canteens  blue,  edged  with  red, 
the  initials  of  the  company  on  one  side  and  the  initials  of  the 
soldier's  name  on  the  other.  The  knapsacks  of  sealskin  with 
red  straps  and  bound  with  red  leather.  Sergeants  wear  gold 
laced  knots  on  shoulder  and  a  hanger.  Commissioned  officers 
wear  gold  epaulets,  boots,  side  arms  and  sash.  Each  member 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  269 

owned  his  musket.  The  standard  of  white  silk  with  the  name  of 
the  State  on  one  side  and  the  name  of  the  United  States  on  the 
other.  In  the  early  part  of  their  history  their  record  was  of  the 
best.  Many  and  honored  citizens  have  been  members  of  the  corps. 

April  9,  1861,  the  Salem  Light  Infantry  (Zouaves)  held  an 
exhibition  drill  in  Mechanics  Hall.  Governor  Andrew  and  his 
staff  were  present.  He  alluded  to  the  excited  condition  of  the 
country,  and  expressed  the  belief  that  the  company  would  be 
ready  to  respond  to  any  call.  War  was  already  in  the  air,  and 
the  proclamation  of  President  Lincoln,  issued  April  15,  1861, 
made  a  profound  impression,  and  found  the  corps  ready.  On 
the  morning  of  the  18th,  mustering  71  men,  they  took  the  train 
for  Boston  and  joined  the  8th  Regiment,  serving  with  credit 
for  three  months.  Major  John  Hodges,  Captains  Ward  and 
Putnam  and  Lieutenants  Reeves  and  Upton  of  the  50th  were 
among  the  number. 

Oct.  22,  1861,  the  Salem  Light  Infantry,  as  an  organization, 
formed  a  company  under  Capt.  Charles  U.  Devereux  and 
joined  the  19th  Massachusetts  Regiment.  The  May  inspection 
was  held,  after  which  Colonel  Dike  resigned  and  Col.  Carlos  P. 
Messer  was  elected  colonel  of  the  7th  Regiment,  M.V.M.  An 
elementary  drill  was  held  at  South  Reading,  now  Wakefield, 
the  company  marching  there.  Here  the  services  of  the  regi 
ment  were  tendered  to  the  government  for  nine  months'  service, 
and  Governor  Andrew  accepted  the  offer  and  directed  that  the 
regimental  number  be  changed  to  the  50th,  the  Salem  Light 
Infantry  retaining  their  old  company  letter  A. 


COMPANY  C 

Company  C,  of  the  50th  Regiment,  formerly  known  as  the 
Stoneham  Light  Infantry,  was  organized  in  Stoneham  in  1851. 
The  first  commissioned  officers  of  the  company  were  Lyman 
Dike,  captain;  David  K.  Wardwell,  first  lieutenant;  Alfred  J. 
Rhoades,  second  lieutenant;  Osborn  Richardson,  third  lieu 
tenant;  and  Allen  Rowe,  Jr.,  fourth  lieutenant.  Captain  Dike 
was  afterwards  colonel  of  the  7th  Regiment.  The  uniform 
adopted  by  the  company  was  a  green  coat,  black  pants  with 
white  stripes  and  a  Hungarian  cap.  During  the  following  ten 


270  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

years  the  company  reached  a  high  state  of  efficiency  and  was 
ready  to  respond  to  the  first  proclamation  issued  by  President 
Lincoln  calling  for  75,000  volunteers.  On  Tuesday,  April  16, 
Capt.  John  H.  Dike  went  to  Boston,  presented  himself  at  the 
State  House,  and  begged  the  privilege  of  calling  out  his  company 
in  obedience  to  the  President's  call.  On  his  return  home  the 
men  were  notified  to  meet  in  the  armory  in  the  East  School- 
house,  where  they  assembled  at  eight  P.M.,  and  unanimously 
voted  they  were  ready  to  start  at  a  moment's  notice.  The 
night  was  dark  and  stormy,  and  Wednesday  morning  broke  with 
a  cold  and  hazy  atmosphere,  but  the  town  was  alive  with  ex 
citement.  Men  were  hurrying  to  and  fro  and  preparations 
being  made  for  immediate  departure.  A  messenger  had  been 
dispatched  from  the  Governor,  who  reached  Captain  Dike  at 
half  past  two  in  the  morning,  notifying  him  to  muster  his  men 
and  to  report  in  Boston  forthwith.  These  men  were  again 
summoned  to  meet  in  the  armory  at  six  A.M.  New  names  were 
added  to  the  roll  and  the  members  dismissed  to  make  the  last 
arrangement  and  bid  their  final  adieus.  Those  who  witnessed 
the  company's  departure  on  that  morning  of  the  17th  of  April 
can  never  forget  it.  The  company  met  at  the  Town  Hall,  where 
prayers  were  offered,  and  a  little  before  ten,  in  military  array, 
they  reached  Central  Square. 

The  people  had  assembled  in  a  great  multitude  wild  with 
patriotic  enthusiasm.  It  was  an  occasion  such  as  Stoneham 
had  never  witnessed.  The  company  departed  from  the  square 
amid  the  ringing  of  bells,  waving  of  handkerchiefs  and  great 
cheering.  After  reaching  Boston  they  marched  to  the  State 
House,  where  they  received  overcoats  and  other  articles.  A.  V. 
Lynde,  Esq.,  presented  to  each  one  of  the  commissioned  officers 
a  revolver.  The  company  was  assigned  to  the  6th  Regiment, 
commanded  by  Col.  Edward  F.  Jones,  and  the  same  after 
noon  was  en  route  for  Washington.  The  commissioned  officers 
of  the  company  were:  captain,  John  H.  Dike;  first  lieutenant, 
Leander  F.  Lynde;  second  lieutenant,  Darius  N.  Stevens;  third 
lieutenant,  James  F.  Rowe;  and  fourth  lieutenant,  W.  B.  Blais- 
dell.  In  addition  to  the  officers  there  was  one  musician  and  a 
full  complement  of  sixty  men.  The  regiment  in  passing  through 
the  streets  of  Baltimore  was  attacked  by  a  rebel  mob  and  was 
the  first  armed  force  to  reach  Washington. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  271 

COMPANY  E 

Company  E,  of  the  50th  Regiment,  was  originally  the  Richard 
son  Light  Guard  of  South  Reading,  attached  to  the  7th  Regi 
ment,  and  organized  in  1851.  The  original  officers  were: 
captain,  John  Wiley,  2d ;  first  lieutenant,  Nathaniel  S.  Dearborn ; 
second  lieutenant,  John  S.  Eaton;  third  lieutenant,  Benjamin 
F.  Barnard;  fourth  lieutenant,  Samuel  Kingman.  Jan.  18, 
1861,  there  was  a  special  meeting  of  the  company  called  for  the 
purpose  of  responding  to  orders  from  the  commander-in-chief 
to  ascertain  how  many  men  were  ready  to  respond  to  the  call 
for  action.  Twenty-three  men  were  present,  and  all  announced 
themselves  ready  to  march  to  the  field  of  battle.  On  January 
19  thirty-five  men  signified  their  willingness  to  respond  to  the 
call.  In  April,  1861,  the  Richardson  Light  Guard  became  Com 
pany  B  of  the  5th  Regiment  (Col.  Samuel  C.  Lawrence). 
The  officers  were:  captain,  John  W.  Locke;  first  lieutenant, 
Charles  H.  Shepard;  second  lieutenant,  James  D.  Draper. 

"At  half  past  twelve  o'clock  P.M.  on  April  19,  1861,  Captain 
Locke  received  orders  from  Colonel  Lawrence  to  report  at 
Boston  for  service  at  the  front.  Bells  were  rung  and  guns  fired, 
and  hi  prompt  response  the  numbers  began  to  assemble.  At 
2.30  o'clock,  only  two  hours  later,  the  company,  numbering 
eighty-seven  men,  rank  and  file,  marched  from  the  armory  to 
the  common  under  command  of  Capt.  John  W.  Locke.  Here 
an  appetizing  collation  was  served,  having  been  quickly  prepared 
by  citizens  of  the  town.  The  company,  escorted  by  a  great 
gathering  of  townspeople,  marched  to  the  depot,  where  patriotic 
speeches  were  made  and  good  byes  said.  The  speakers  were 
Edward  Mansfield,  Hon.  Liley  Eaton,  P.  C.  Wheeler,  Rev.  E.  A. 
Eaton  and  others.  At  about  four  o'clock  the  soldier  boys 
boarded  the  train  en  route  for  Boston.  On  arrival  in  the  city 
the  company  marched  to  Faneuil  Hall,  escorted  by  the  Maiden 
band  and  a  delegation  of  townspeople  who  had  made  the 
journey  to  Boston.  On  the  next  day  the  regiment  left  Boston 
for  the  front,  and  subsequently  participated  in  the  first  battle 
of  Bull  Run." 


272  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

JOURNAL  OF  COMPANY  A,  oOrn 

Sept.  15,  1862.     Camp  Stanton,  Col.  E.  F.  Jones,  commanding, 

Boxford,  Mass.     Company  in  camp. 
September  17.     Company  A  drew  their  clothing. 
September  18  to  October  14.     Doing  regular  camp  duty. 
October  14.     The  10th  Massachusetts  Light  Battery,  Captain 

Sleeper,  broke  camp  for  the  seat  of  war. 
October  14  to  November  19.     Doing  regular  camp  duty. 
November  19.     Left  Boxford  for  the  South,  via  Worcester  & 

Norwich  route  to  New  York. 

November  20.     Arrived  in  New  York.     Marched  to  Park  Bar 
racks;  from  there  to  a  building  in  Franklin  Street,  where 

we  quartered. 

November  21 .     At  the  Franklin  Street  Barracks. 
November  22.     Left  Franklin  Street  Barracks  and  marched  to 

Union  Race  Course,  Centreville,  L.I.,  where  we  went  into 

camp  in  tents. 

November  22  to  29.     In  camp  at  the  Union  Race  Course. 
November  29.     Left  the  Union  Race  Course  for  New  York, 

marching  through  Jamaica,   East   New  York,   Brooklyn, 

Fulton  Ferry  to  Park  Barracks,  where  we  were  quartered 

until  December  10. 
December  10.     Left  Park  Barracks,  marched  to  the  pier,  and 

embarked  on  the  steamer  Jersey  Blue.     There  are  three 

companies   of  the   50th  on   board:   Companies   A,   Capt. 

George  D.  Putnam;  E,  Capt.  S.  F.  Littlefield;  and  K,  Capt. 

J.  G.  Barnes.     All  aboard,  left  the  pier  and  anchored  off 

the  Battery. 
December  11.     Put  into  the  pier  to  get  another  stove;  while 

there  Commodore  Vanderbilt  visited  us.     Two  thirty  P.M., 

started  from  New  York.     Three  P.M.,  passed  Fort  Lafayette. 

Five  P.M.,  passed  Sandy  Hook  and  an  ocean  steamer  bound 

in.     It  was  a  fine  afternoon. 
December  12.     Under  sealed  orders,  eight  fifteen  A.M.,  passed 

light-ship;  all  are  well. 
December  13.     Eleven  thirty  A.M.,  passed  a  large  American 

steamer  ashore.     It  was  the  Oriental,  wrecked  in  a  fog. 

She  was   carrying  government   supplies  to    Port    Royal. 

Four  thirty  P.M.,  passed  Hatteras  Light,  the  sun  setting 

clear.     One  of  the  men  from  Company  K  had  a  remarkable 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  273 

growth  of  whiskers  in  one  night.     They  were  of  a  tarry 

substance. 

December  14.     Passed  three  blockaders. 
December  15.     Overhauled  by  the  gunboat  Marblehead.     Ten 

thirty  P.M.,  anchored  off  Port  Royal,  about  fifteen  miles, 

to  await  daylight  to  run  in. 
December  16.     Daylight,  weighed  anchor,  and  started  for  the 

harbor  of  Port  Royal.     Seven  A.M.,  South  Carolina  coast 

in   sight.     Nine   A.M.,    entrance   to    Port    Royal   Harbor. 

Eleven  thirty  A.M.,  anchored  in  the  harbor.     This  is  a  low 

sandy  place,  with  a  great  many  government  storehouses 

and  buildings;  there  is  a  large  fort  on  the  left  as  you  enter. 

The  frigate  Vermont  and  the  Commodore  Vanderbilt  are  at 

anchor  in  the  harbor. 
December  17.     Our  transport  has  been  condemned,   and  we 

have  landed  at  Hilton  Head  and  pitched  our  camp. 
December  18.     Visited  Fort  Wells,  formerly  Fort  Beauregard. 

It  is  a  strong  earthwork,  mounting  twenty-seven  guns. 
December  19.     Inspection. 
December  20.     Orders  of  the  day:  6.30  A.M.,  roll  call;  7  A.M., 

surgeon's  call;  7.30  A.M.,  breakfast    call;    9    A.M.,    drill; 

12  M.,  dinner;  2.30  P.M.,   drill;   4.30  P.M.,    dress   parade; 

8.30  P.M.,  tattoo;  8.45  P.M.,  taps. 
December  21.     Camp  duty. 

December  22.     2d  Duryea's  Zouaves  and  ten  New  York  regi 
ments,  a  part  of  General  Banks's  expedition,  landed  here. 
December  23.     Heavy  firing  heard  north  of  us. 
December  24.     Camp  duty.     Four  companies  of  our  regiment 

are  in  Philadelphia,  two  at  New  York,  one  in  the  Gulf  of 

Mexico  and  three  at  Hilton  Head. 
December  25.     Christmas,  we  are  having  a  holiday. 
December  26.     Camp  duty. 
December  27.     Camp  duty. 

December   28.     Camp   duty.     Great   baptism,    eighty   contra 
bands  baptized. 
December  29.     Camp  duty. 
December  30.    Camp  duty. 
December  31.     Ten  A.M.,  mustered  for  pay.     Four  thirty  P.M., 

on  board  of  the  barque  Guerilla,  bound  for  the  Mississippi 

River. 


274  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Jan.  1,  1863.  Nine  twenty  A.M.,  started  for  the  gulf.  Eleven 
A.M.,  steam  tug  Locust  Point  has  just  left  us. 

January  2  to  January  8.     Nothing  of  importance. 

January  8.  The  gunboat  Octarora  chased  a  steamer,  and  after 
firing  two  shots  brought  her  to. 

January  9.  Came  to  anchor  on  Bahama  Banks  in  fifteen  feet 
of  water. 

January  10.  Sergeant  Green  of  Company  E  died  at  two  A.M., 
and  at  ten  A.M.  was  buried  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 

January  11.     Six  P.M.,  passing  Dry  Tortugas. 

January  12.  Examined  one  of  the  detachment  who  complained 
of  being  sick.  He  had  on  two  shirts,  two  pairs  of  drawers, 
one  pair  of  pants,  one  pair  of  overalls,  one  vest,  one  dress 
coat,  one  blouse  and  one  overcoat.  This  was  the  twelfth 
day  from  Port  Royal. 

January  13.     Nothing  important. 

January  14.     Cast  anchor  in  Ship  Island  at  ten  P.M. 

January  15.  Nine  A.M.,  at  anchor.  Ship  Island  is  a  low,  sandy 
island  with  a  lighthouse  and  a  few  government  storehouses 
upon  it.  A  number  of  war  vessels  lay  off  the  island. 

January  16.  Weighed  anchor,  and  set  sail  for  the  mouth  of 
the  Mississippi  River,  one  thirty  P.M. 

January  17.  Ten  thirty  A.M.,  pilot  has  come  on  board  and 
taken  charge  and  we  are  going  through  Pass  L 'Outre,  and 
at  six  P.M.  came  to  anchor  to  wait  for  a  tugboat. 

January  18.  Eleven  A.M.,  tug  Anglo-American  took  us  in  tow 
for  New  Orleans.  3.30  P.M.,  passing  Forts  Jackson  and  St. 
Philip.  The  one  mounts  75  and  the  latter  40  guns.  5 
P.M.,  passed  Quarantine.  5.30  P.M.,  passed  the  Union  gun 
boat  Verona  sunk  by  the  Confederates.  6  P.M.,  passed  a 
sunken  rebel  gunboat. 

January  19.  Passed  Senator  Morgan's  (Union)  and  Senator 
Benjamin's  (Confederate)  plantations.  Two  P.M.,  arrived 
at  Pier  U  49,  New  Orleans. 

January  20.  Left  New  Orleans  at  12  M.  for  Carrollton.  1.30 
P.M.,  arrived  at  Carrollton.  3  P.M.,  left  the  transport  and 
arrived  at  Camp  Parapet  at  5  P.M.,  and  pitched  our  camp. 
This  camp  is  under  Gen.  Neal  Dow,  and  is  several  feet 
below  the  level  of  the  river,  protected  by  levees. 

January  21.     Arranging  camp  and  getting  ready  for  work. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  275 

January  22.  Camp  duty.  Forty  rounds  of  cartridges  issued. 
Six  hundred  contrabands  came  down  the  river. 

January  23.     162d  New  York  arrived. 

January  24  to  January  28.     Regular  routine  of  camp  duty. 

January  28.     15th  New  Hampshire  arrived. 

January  29.     Camp  duty. 

January  30.  Arrival  of  steamer  Iberville  with  six  hundred  more 
contrabands.  Talk  about  your  minstrel  shows,  they  are 
not  in  it  with  this  crowd.  They  brought  their  baggage 
and  I  guess  they  are  going  to  stop  with  us. 

January  31.  Orders  of  the  camp:  reveille  at  sunrise;  dress 
parade,  9.30  A.M.;  drill,  10.30  A.M.;  dinner  at!2M.;  drill, 
3.30  P.M.;  retreat  at  sunset;  tattoo,  8  P.M.;  taps,  8.30  P.M. 

February  1.  Camp  duty.  Capt.  J.  L.  Ward  of  Company  B 
is  here,  and  three  companies  of  the  50th  Regiment  are  at 
quarantine. 

February  2.     Review  by  Gen.  Neal  Dow. 

February  3.  Paymaster  arrived.  Pays  us  off.  6th  Michigan 
arrived.  48th  passed  up  the  river. 

February  4.  Left  camp  and  went  aboard  steamer  Continental 
to  go  up  the  river  to  Baton  Rouge. 

February  5.  On  steamer  Continental  going  up  the  river.  Three 
P.M.,  passing  Donaldson ville.  This  place  has  been  lost  and 
retaken  a  number  of  times.  It  is  protected  by  a  good- 
sized  fort,  and  two  gunboats  lay  off  in  the  river.  Ten 
thirty  P.M.,  arrive  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 

February  6.  At  Baton  Rouge.  The  sloop-of-war  Richmond 
lays  at  our  stern,  and  the  ironclad  gunboat  Essex  on  the 
other  shore.  We  disembarked,  formed  line,  and  were  es 
corted  to  our  camping  place  by  our  regimental  band,  who 
had  arrived  some  time  before. 

February  7.     Cleaning  up  and  getting  ready  for  business. 

February  8.  Brigade  review  and  inspection  under  Gen.  N.  A. 
M.  Dudley,  who  is  in  command  of  this  brigade,  to  which 
we  are  assigned.  He  is,  or  rather  ranks,  as  a  colonel  of 
the  Regular  Army. 

February  9  to  February  14.  Camp  duties,  police,  drills,  camp 
and  picket  duties. 

February  14.  Three  companies  arrived  under  Maj.  John  W. 
Hodges,  and  with  them  Col.  C.  P.  Messer. 


276  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

February  15.     Camp  duty. 

February  16.     Fifteen  of  our  cavalry  pickets  taken. 

February  17.     Orders  of  the  day: 

5.50  A.M.     Reveille,  1st  call. 

6  A.M.     Reveille,  2d  call,  roll-call  immediately. 

7  A.M.     Surgeon's  call. 
7.30  to  8.30  A.M.     Squad  drill. 

9  A.M.  Guard  mounting. 

10  to  11.30  A.M.  Company  drill. 

11.30  A.M.  Recall. 

12  M.  Dinner  call. 

2.30  to  4.30  P.M.  Battalion  or  brigade  drill. 

4.35  P.M.  Recall. 

4.45  P.M.  Dress  parade. 

8  P.M.  Tattoo. 
8.15  P.M.  Taps. 

6.30  A.M.     Breakfast  call. 

9  A.M.     Sunday  inspection. 
February  18  to  February  22.     Camp  duties. 
February  22.     Inspection  and  review. 

February    23.     Celebrating    Washington's    Birthday:    sports, 

music,  etc.     Edward  Findlay  died. 
February  24.     Burial  of  Edward  Findlay. 
February  25  to  February  28.     Camp  duties. 
February  28.     Inspection. 
March  1.     Brigade  review. 
March  2.     Orders  to  pack  knapsacks,  and  to  be  packed  away 

and  be  ready  to  start  at  once. 
March  3.     Grand  review  of  the   division   in   heavy  marching 

order.     The  review  was  under  General  Augur. 
March  4.     Wager  made  that  Company  A,  50th,  could  beat  any 

company  of  the  30th  in  the  manual  of  arms. 
March  5  to  8.     Camp  duties. 
March  8.     Inspection. 
March  9  and  10.     Under  marching  orders. 
March  11.     Grand  review  of  all  the  troops  of  the  19th  Army 

Corps  in  and  around  Baton  Rouge  by  Gen.  Nathaniel  P. 

Banks,  our  corps  commander. 

March  12  and  13.     Still  under  marching  orders.     The  2d  Loui 
siana,  the  41st  and  48th  Massachusetts  started  at  nine  P.M. 

Troops  are  moving  by  our  camp  at  a  rapid  rate. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  277 

March  14.  Ordered  to  fall  in.  3  A.M.,  started  on  the  road  to 
Port  Hudson.  8  A.M.,  came  to  a  halt.  12  M.,  foraged;  got 
some  fowl  and  fresh  meat.  We  are  the  rear  guard,  which 
is  no  enviable  position. 

March  15.  The  baggage  train  is  on  the  return  to  Baton  Rouge. 
After  they  passed  we  fell  in  the  rear.  The  mortars  were 
shelling  the  batteries  at  Port  Hudson  all  night.  The  sloop- 
of-war  Mississippi,  in  attempting  to  run  past  the  batteries, 
grounded  under  their  guns;  the  crew  set  her  on  fire  and 
she  then  floated  and  exploded.  The  movement  on  the  part 
of  the  army  was  a  feint  to  allow  Farragut  to  pass  the  batter 
ies  at  Port  Hudson,  which  was  successful.  We  started  at 
1  P.M.  and  at  5  P.M.  halted.  Raining  very  hard. 

March  16.  Not  on  the  march  yet;  rained  all  night;  plenty  of 
mud ;  a  good  place  to  sleep,  if  you  can  do  it  standing. 

March  17.  A  party  of  rebs  drove  in  our  pickets;  our  brigade 
was  sent  out  to  meet  them,  but  we  could  not  make  con 
nections. 

March  18.  12  M.,  started  for  Baton  Rouge  and  arrived  at  4  P.M. 
After  resting  thirty  minutes,  ordered  to  fall  in ;  marched  to 
and  went  on  board  the  steamer  Morning  Light.  4.45  P.M., 
started  up  the  river.  10  P.M.,  run  through  a  break  in  the 
levee  on  a  plantation,  and  stuck  fast  in  the  mud,  and  the 
steamer  Empire  Parish,  with  General  Dudley  on  board,  was 
caught  in  the  same  trap. 

March  19.  11  A.M.,  the  Empire  Parish  is  off.  3.30  P.M.,  we 
are  off.  Arrived  at  Winter's  Plantation  at  5  P.M.  We  are 
quartered  in  huts. 

March  20.  Long  roll  sounded,  false  alarm.  Gunboats  shelling 
rebel  supply  boats. 

March  21.     Gunboats  still  active. 

March  22.     On  picket  duty. 

March  23.     All  quiet. 

March  24.  McGee's  cavalry  have  just  come  in  from  a  raid 
opposite  Port  Hudson,  and  with  fifty  men  destroyed  over 
a  million  dollars'  worth  of  property. 

March  25.     All  quiet. 

March  26.     Returned  to  Baton  Rouge. 

March  27  to  29.     All  quiet,  with  rainy  weather. 

March  29.     Inspection  and  rain. 


278  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

March  30.     Regular  camp  duties. 

March  31.     Brigade  inspection. 

April   1   to  4.     Camp  duties. 

April  4.     Moving   camp. 

April  5.     Inspection. 

April  6.     Holiday.     Death  of  George  Knowlton. 

April  7.     Burial  of  George  Knowlton. 

April  9.  Three  A.M.,  ordered  to  fall  in.  Four  thirty  A.M.,  in  a 
regiment  made  up  of  Companies  A,  E,  I  and  K  of  the  50th 
Regiment,  two  of  the  162d  New  York,  two  of  the  30th 
Massachusetts  and  two  of  the  2d  Louisiana,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Everett  of  the  2d  Louisiana 
and  Major  Hodges  of  the  50th.  In  the  column  was  a  squad 
ron  of  cavalry  and  a  section  of  artillery.  We  marched  to 
Bayou  Monticeno,  destroyed  a  bridge  and  drew  a  small 
force;  arriving  back  at  11.30  A.M. 

April  10  to  17.     Regular  camp  duty. 

April  17.     Guard  duty  at  seven  A.M. 

April  18.     Corpl.  John  F.  Simon  died. 

April  19.     Jere  Nelson  made  a  corporal. 

April  20.     Cutting  down  trees. 

April  21.     Assistant  Surgeon  Dr.  French  buried  to-day. 

April  23.     On  picket  on  the  Clinton  road. 

April  24.     Nine  A.M.  returned  from  picket  duty. 

April  25.     Felling  trees. 

April  26.     Inspection. 

April  27.     Digging  rifle  pits. 

April  28.     Camp  duty. 

April  29.     Picket  duty. 

April  30.     Mustered  for  pay. 

May   1.       Camp   duty. 

May  2.  Arrival  of  Grierson's  cavalry  from  Tennessee,  consist 
ing  of  two  Illinois  regiments  of  cavalry,  having  been 
sixteen  days  in  the  saddle,  capturing  and  patroling  2,000 
rebel  prisoners.  About  800  spare  horses.  They  dressed 
in  the  rebel  uniforms  captured  from  the  enemy. 

May  3.     Brigade  drill  and  inspection. 

May  4.     Camp  duty. 

May  5.     Picket  on  the  Comite  road.     Camp  duty. 

May  6,  7,  8.     Camp  duty. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  279 

May  9  and  10.     Picket  duty. 

May  11.    Camp  duty. 

May  12.  Four  A.M.,  started  in  light  marching  order,  twenty 
extra  rounds  of  cartridges  were  issued.  We  are  on  the 
Clinton  road.  12  M.,  halted.  1  P.M.,  ordered  forward 
and  halted  at  a  bridge  over  a  bayou  called  by  some  Bayou 
Bouche,  others  White's  Bayou.  We  are  to  hold  this  bridge. 
The  brigade  started  off  towards  Port  Hudson,  leaving  with 
us  a  section  of  company,  regular  light  battery  and  a 
squadron  of  the  Illinois  cavalry. 

May  13.     The  rebs  are  in  sight  and  the  cavalry  dispersed  them. 

May  14.     All  is  quiet. 

May  15.     The   same. 

May  16.  Made  a  raid  on  a  plantation  and  captured  sixty-four 
bales  of  cotton. 

May  17.    On  picket  duty. 

May  18.  Went  on  a  scout  and  captured  some  cotton  and  a 
team  to  bring  it  in  and  brought  in  twenty  contrabands. 

May  19.     Alarm  last  night  did  not  amount  to  much. 

May  20.     Foraging. 

May  21.     Quiet. 

May  22.     Can  hear  them  at  work  on  Port  Hudson ;  quiet  here. 

May  23.     Quiet. 

May  24.     Inspection. 

May  25.     Quiet. 

May  26.  Four  P.M.  A  courier  arrived  from  Port  Hudson  and 
we  were  ordered  to  fall  in  and  started.  We  arrived  in  front 
of  the  fortifications  at  Port  Hudson  at  twelve  midnight. 
It  was  a  forced  march. 

May  27.  1  A.M.,  turned  in  by  using  our  roll  for  a  pillow. 
3  A.M.,  turned  out.  4  A.M.,  ordered  to  the  support  of  the 
21st  Indiana  Heavy  Artillery,  with  no  rations  since  yes 
terday  noon,  and  then  only  a  little  hard-tack.  A  sutler 
deserted  his  post  near  us  on  account  of  a  shell  bursting  over 
his  store.  When  he  returned  everything  had  disappeared. 
Cause,  the  shell;  but  the  boys  gathered  up  the  fragments, 
which  came  very  handy.  What  was  his  loss  was  our  gain. 
Ordered  to  storm  the  rebel  works,  3  P.M.  Began  the  move 
ment  on  the  works.  Talk  about  your  leaden  hail  and 
rain!  It  was  a  deluge  of  shot  and  shell;  it  was  perfect 


280  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

hell.  We  kept  moving  forward  until  about  150  yards  from 
the  lines,  and  lay  there  until  7  P.M.,  when  by  orders  we 
were  withdrawn.  Had  a  little  coffee  and  then  turned  in. 
Only  the  right  wing  of  the  regiment  of  the  50th  was  en 
gaged,  and  was  under  the  command  of  Major  Hodges. 
Not  having  our  colors  with  us  was  a  great  protection. 

May  28.  The  assault  yesterday  was  a  failure,  but  our  boys 
stood  the  fire  in  first-class  shape.  I  guess  they  can  be 
depended  upon  in  any  emergency.  6  P.M.,  we  are  off 
again.  7  P.M.,  arrived  at  General  Dudley's  headquarters. 

May  29.     Building  a  road.     The  siege  still  continues. 

May  30.     Siege  still  continues. 

May  31.  We  are  still  in  the  pits.  We  started  out  to  build  a 
bridge.  I  never  worked  harder. 

June  1.     Port  Hudson  still  under  siege,  and  we  still  in  the  pits. 

June  2.  We  are  now  supporting  Nims's  Massachusetts  Bat 
tery.  Our  division  lost  in  the  27th  of  May  fight  400  killed 
and  wounded. 

June  3.  Still  supporting  Nims's  Battery.  The  shot  and  shell 
are  dropping  around  us  pretty  lively. 

June  4.  Supporting  Nims's  Battery.  The  rebs  have  got 
good  range  on  us,  but  we  are  in  a  ravine,  and  are  pretty 
well  protected. 

June  5.  Still  doing  business  at  the  same  old  stand.  William 
Evans  was  wounded  by  canister  shot. 

June  6.  Still  with  Nims's.  The  rebel  sharpshooters  are  un 
comfortably  close.  They  have  got  the  range,  and  we 
can't  show  our  heads. 

June  7.  The  regiment  has  left  us,  leaving  Companies  A  and  I 
with  Nims's. 

June  8.     Dug  rifle  pits  on  the  flanks  of  the  battery. 

June  9.  Eleven  A.M.,  the  ball  has  opened  in  good  earnest, 
artillery  firing  along  the  whole  line.  Lieut.  P.  D.  Allen 
of  General  Weitzel's  staff  died ;  he  belonged  in  Salem,  Mass. 

June  10.  Still  hammering  away.  Two  big  fires  inside  of  the 
fortification  caused  by  our  shells. 

June  11.     The  rebels  attempted  a  sortie,  but  were  driven  back. 

June  12.     Still  bombarding,  and  we  are  in  the  pits. 

June  13.  12.35  P.M.,  a  general  and  very  heavy  bombard 
ment  commenced,  and  after  one  hour's  duration  a  demand 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  281 

was  made  for  the  surrender  of  the  place,  which  was  not 
acceded  to. 

June  14.  Supporting  the  Marine  Battery  of  one  hundred- 
pound  guns.  The  second  assault  upon  the  works.  We 
were  ordered  out  of  the  pits  as  the  reserve,  having  to  lie 
flat  upon  the  ground  ready  for  action.  Six  A.M.,  Lieutenant 
Reeves  was  wounded.  Under  cover  of  the  dark  the  troops 
are  coming  out  of  the  fight,  being  unsuccessful. 

June  15.  Supporting  the  Marine  Battery.  Our  loss  yesterday 
was  heavy. 

June  16.     Still  at  the  same  old  job. 

June  17.  Supporting  Mack's  18th  New  York.  Hostilities 
ceased  long  enough  to  bury  our  dead. 

June  18.     In  the  pits  with  Mack's  Black  Horse  Battery. 

June  19.     Still  with  Mack's  battery. 

June  20.     Relieved  from  duty  at  Mack's  battery. 

June  21.  Still  on  duty  at  Port  Hudson.  We  have  on  duty 
to-day  one  commissioned  officer,  one  sergeant,  two  cor 
porals  and  twenty  privates. 

June  22.     Still  on  the  same  old  spot. 

June  23.  Still  laying  siege,  working  gradually  towards  their 
works. 

June  24.     Supporting  Mack's  battery  again. 

June  25.     Still  supporting  Mack's. 

June  26.     Still  with  Mack's  battery. 

June  27.     In  the  deserted  rifle  pits. 

June  28.     In  with  Mack's  battery  again. 

June  29.     Still  at  the  same  old  stand,  waiting  for  customers. 

June  30.     Still  in  the  rifle  pits. 

July  1.  A  great  many  of  the  troops  of  this  department,  their 
time  having  expired  and  discontent  arising  among  them, 
the  50th  Regiment  were  drawn  up  in  line  and  addressed 
by  General  Dudley,  after  which  the  regiment  voted  unani 
mously  to  tender  their  services  for  fourteen  days  from  the 
30th  of  June,  or  until  Port  Hudson  capitulated,  in  conse 
quence  of  which  vote  Gen.  N.  P.  Banks  issued  a  very 
complimentary  order  to  the  regiment,  which  was  read  along 
the  whole  line. 

July  2.  Still  in  the  pits.  The  lines  are  being  drawn  pretty 
close  around  the  rebel  works. 


282  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

July  3.  Still  pounding  away  at  the  rebels.  The  complimentary 
order  to  the  50th  Regiment  was  read  to-night. 

July  4.  Still  at  the  job.  The  light  batteries  are  at  the  rear, 
firing  salutes  in  honor  of  the  anniversary  of  American 
Independence. 

July  5.     Still  in  the  swim. 

July  6.     Continual  firing  is  kept  up. 

July  7.  Still  at  the  front.  Vicksburg  is  taken,  which  means  a 
great  stroke  for  us,  as  this  place  cannot  hold  out  much 
longer.  The  regiments  are  cheering,  the  bands  playing, 
and  the  light  batteries  firing  salutes. 

July  8.  Still  in  the  pits.  A  flag  of  truce  has  been  out  all  day. 
Last  night  a  parley  was  sounded,  and  all  firing  ceased. 
General  Gardner  is  about  to  surrender.  General  Banks 
gives  him  until  three  P.M.  Four  P.M.,  General  Gardner  has 
surrendered  with  100  guns  and  7,000  prisoners. 

July  9.  Nine  A.M.,  marching  into  Port  Hudson  under  a  blaz 
ing  sun,  men  dropping  along  the  whole  line.  We  passed 
the  prisoners  before  we  came  to  a  halt. 

July  10.  On  guard  at  General  Gardner's  headquarters.  The 
prisoners  are  to  be  paroled.  The  sooner  the  better;  they 
want  to  go  and  so  do  we. 

July  11.  Still  on  guard  over  the  rebel  officers.  They  dis 
credit  the  capture  of  Vicksburg. 

July  12.     Still  on  the  same  duty. 

July  13.  Our  band  and  the  men  from  the  convalescent  camp 
at  Baton  Rouge  arrived.  About  1,500  of  the  rebels  were 
paroled  to-day. 

July  14.  On  guard  the  same  duty.  All  the  rest  of  the  prison 
ers  were  paroled  to-day.  Part  of  our  regiment  went  up 
the  river  with  them. 

July  15.  Still  here.  A  salute  was  fired  in  honor  of  the  great 
victory  at  Gettysburg. 

July  16.     Still  at  Port  Hudson. 

July  17.     Still  at  Port  Hudson. 

July  18.  The  Illinois  cavalry  passed  up  the  river  on  the 
steamer  Imperial.  We  will  soon  follow. 

July  19.     Still  at  the  same  old  spot. 

July  20.     Still  doing  business  at  the  same  old  stand. 

July  21 .     Our  duties  same  as  yesterday,  but  not  much  profit  in  it. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  283 

July  22.     We  are  still  holding  the  fort. 

July  23.  The  52d  Massachusetts  have  just  gone  up  the  river 
on  the  H.  Chauteau. 

July  24.  The  22d  and  24th  Maine  Regiments  passed  up  the 
river  on  the  steamers  Empire  Parish  and  Sallie  Robinson. 

July  25.     The  21st  Maine  passed  up  on  the  Laurel  Hill. 

July  26.  The  26th  Connecticut,  15th  New  Hampshire  and 
21st  Maine  passed  up  on  the  steamers  St.  Maurice  and 
/.  W.  Cheesman.  Joseph  Dodge  died  to-day. 

July  27.     Still  at  Port  Hudson.     Buried  Joseph  Dodge. 

July  28.  Turned  in  our  guns  and  equipments.  It  looks  like 
going  home. 

July  29.  On  board  of  the  steamer  Omaha.  10.30  A.M.,  home 
ward  bound.  11  A.M.,  passed  Waterloo;  later  passed 
Tunica  Island  and  the  Red  River. 

July  30.  Arrived  at  Natchez.  Elias  Trofatter  died  and  was 
buried  here.  9.30  A.M.,  left  Natchez. 

July  31,  Arrived  at  Vicksburg  at  4.30  A.M.;  left  Vicksburg 
at  6.30  P.M. 

August  1.  James  V.  Waters  died  and  was  buried  at  the  mouth 
of  White  River. 

August  2.  7  A.M.,  passed  Providence  and  Napoleon.  The  lat 
ter  place  looks  as  though  it  had  been  ill  used.  9  A.M., 
arrived  at  Island  No.  72  to  bury  the  dead.  Here  we  ran 
aground,  and  after  much  difficulty  got  off. 

August  3.  1  A.M.,  Got  aground  again,  this  time  so  that  it 
started  the  seams  in  her,  so  that  the  water  ran  in  faster 
than  we  could  bail  it  out.  The  steamer  L.  M.  Kennett 
took  us  off,  and  we  arrived  at  Helena,  Ark.,  at  11  A.M. 
Coaled  up  and  at  6  P.M.  started  again.  Buried  two  more. 
This  makes  eight  since  we  left  Port  Hudson. 

August  4.  Buried  another  at  7.30  P.M.  We  arrived  at  Mem 
phis  at  11  A.M. 

August  5.     Struck  a  mud  bar,  got  off  and  made  a  landing. 

August  6.  Passed  Island  No.  10,  where  Commodore  Foote 
distinguished  himself.  12  noon,  passed  Hickman.  2.30 
P.M.,  passed  Columbia,  and  at  6  P.M.  arrived  at  Cairo, 
111.,  where  we  take  the  train. 

August  7.  6  A.M.,  left  the  boat;  8  A.M.,  aboard  of  baggage 
cars;  11  A.M.,  left  Cairo. 


284  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

August  8.  4  A.M.,  arrived  at  Mattoon  and  changed  into  pas 
senger  coaches.  Left  Mattoon  at  5  A.M.,  and  arrived  at 
Indianapolis  at  4  P.M.  ;  they  gave  us  a  fine  collation.  7  P.M., 
left  Indianapolis. 

August  9.  On  arrival  at  Bellefontaine  and  Marion  we  received 
a  great  reception.  On  arrival  at  Cleveland  we  were  given 
a  great  reception  and  furnished  with  a  fine  supper.  Eleven 
thirty  P.M.,  as  we  arrived  at  Erie,  a  fine  collation  was  brought 
into  the  cars. 

August  10.  Arrived  at  Buffalo  at  4  A.M.,  and  found  the  tables 
set  in  the  depot  with  a  fine  breakfast,  which  we  enjoyed 
hugely.  7  A.M.,  left  Buffalo;  arrived  at  Albany  at  6  P.M. 
A  collation  was  served  to  us  here.  Changed  cars  and  left 
Albany  at  11  P.M. 

August  11.  Arrived  in  Boston  at  4  P.M.  Collation  at  the 
Beach  Street  Barracks.  Marched  to  the  Common  and 
were  dismissed  until  further  orders,  and  each  company 
started  for  their  respective  home  under  their  officers. 
7  P.M.,  arrived  home  Salem,  and  were  escorted  to  the 
Armory  by  the  S.L.I.V.A.  It  was  a  great  reception. 
We  could  hardly  make  our  way  through  the  streets  on 
account  of  the  crowds.  On  arrival  at  the  Armory  after 
reception,  speeches  were  made,  and  being  replied  to  the 
company  was  dismissed,  and  reassembled  August  24  at 
Wenham,  where  we  were  mustered  out  of  the  United 
States  service,  having  served  nearly  a  year  for  nine  months' 
enlistment. 


From  the  Boston  Journal  of  Aug.  12,  1863 : 
MILITARY  MATTERS 

ARRIVAL  OF  THE  5OTH  MASSACHUSETTS  REGIMENT 

The  50th  Massachusetts  Regiment  of  Volunteers  for  nine 
months,  from  Port  Hudson,  arrived  in  this  city  yesterday  after 
noon  about  half  past  four  o'clock.  The  regiment  left  Albany, 
Monday  night,  on  a  special  train,  and  was  only  detained  along 
the  route  by  the  hearty  receptions  and  greetings  of  friends. 

The  career  of  the  50th  has  been  an  eventful  one.     It  left 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  285 

Massachusetts  about  the  middle  of  November  and  proceeded 
to  camp  at  Union  Race  Course,  Long  Island,  where  it  remained 
a  fortnight.  Its  voyage  afterward  to  Dixie  was  a  fair  illustra 
tion  of  the  outward  passage  of  the  Banks  expedition.  The 
much  wandering  Ulysses  would  have  reveled  in  just  such  an 
experience.  The  band  departed  with  General  Banks  on  the 
steamship  North  Star,  which  made  the  trip  to  New  Orleans  in 
ten  days.  Four  companies  of  the  50th  were  soon  after  ordered 
to  New  York  City  for  transportation.  Company  I  em 
barked  on  the  steamer  New  Brunswick,  and  Companies  A,  K 
and  E  on  the  propeller  Jersey  Blue.  The  remaining  six  com 
panies  were  ordered  to  embark  on  the  Niagara,  but  this  vessel 
proving  too  small,  one  company  was  left  in  New  York.  The 
New  Brunswick  with  Company  I  made  a  fair  passage.  When 
this  last  company  reached  New  Orleans  it  was  at  once  ordered 
to  proceed  to  Baton  Rouge,  together  with  the  41st  Massachusetts 
Regiment,  and  these  were  among  the  first  troops  to  occupy  that 
city  after  its  evacuation  by  the  rebels. 

The  Jersey  Blue  when  six  days  out  put  into  Port  Royal  in 
distress  and  the  three  companies  were  transported  to  the  bark 
Guerilla,  which  was  twenty  days  in  making  the  trip  to  New 
Orleans.  These  companies  remained  at  Camp  Parapet  in 
Carrollton  for  a  short  time  after  their  arrival  and  then  joined 
Company  I  at  Baton  Rouge.  The  Niagara,  with  five  companies 
of  the  regiment  on  board,  sailed  on  the  12th  of  December  from 
New  York.  When  off  Delaware  Breakwater  this  vessel  proved 
unseaworthy,  by  reason  of  the  rottenness  of  her  timbers,  and 
put  into  Philadelphia  in  distress.  There  these  companies 
were  provided  for  with  generous  hospitality  by  the  Union 
and  Cooper  Shop  Association.  After  a  delay  of  four  weeks 
the  ship  Jenny  Lind  arrived  from  New  York  with  the  com 
pany  remaining  there  and  with  orders  to  take  those  five 
companies  from  Philadelphia  to  Fortress  Monroe. 

Arriving  at  that  point,  three  companies  were  taken  from  the 
Jenny  Lind  and  placed  on  the  sailing  ship  Montebello,  together 
with  250  convalescents  from  the  Chesapeake,  some  of  whom 
had  not  yet  wholly  recovered  from  contagious  disease.  The 
Montebello  made  the  passage  from  pilot  to  pilot  in  nine  days. 
During  the  passage,  however,  the  smallpox  and  ship  fever, 
communicated  from  the  convalescents,  broke  out  among  the 


286  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

members  of  the  50th,  and  by  the  time  the  ship  reached  the 
Balize  the  contagion  had  spread  so  rapidly  that  three  com 
panies  were  detained  at  quarantine  for  seventy  days.  During 
this  time  the  Jenny  Lind  passed  up  the  river  with  the  other 
three  companies,  having  been  thirty-five  days  on  the  passage 
to  New  Orleans. 

Thus  the  regiment  was  kept  wandering  in  detachments  over 
sea  and  until  the  3d  of  April,  when  the  ten  companies  came 
together  for  the  first  time.  The  regiment  was  attached  to 
Colonel  Dudley's  brigade,  stationed  at  Baton  Rouge. 

When  the  first  advance  was  made  upon  Port  Hudson,  seven 
companies  of  the  50th  participated  in  it.  In  the  last  advance, 
while  General  Banks  was  coming  down  the  Red  River  to  invest 
Port  Hudson  on  the  northern  side  with  the  troops  from  the 
Teche  country,  this  regiment  accompanied  General  Augur's 
advance  from  the  lower  side.  During  the  battle  of  the  Plains 
it  was  stationed  at  White's  Bayou  and  the  Clinton  road,  to 
gether  with  a  section  of  artillery  and  a  detachment  of  Grierson's 
cavalry  to  prevent  any  incursion  of  the  enemy  on  the  right 
flank.  The  50th  marched  to  Port  Hudson  on  the  night  of 
May  26,  and  four  companies  were  in  the  assault  on  General 
Augur's  front  on  the  27th.  The  rest  of  the  regiment  supported 
batteries  during  the  engagement. 

In  the  second  assault  on  the  rebel  stronghold  on  June  14,  the 
regiment  was  with  General  Dwight  on  the  left  wing.  It  met 
few  casualties  on  these  occasions.  It  shared  the  common 
experience  of  the  troops  before  Port  Hudson  throughout  the 
siege,  in  digging  and  defending  rifle  pits  and  saps,  and  supporting 
batteries  until  the  29th  of  June,  when  its  regular  term  of  service 
expired.  But  Port  Hudson  had  not  been  taken  and  Colonel 
Messer,  with  a  spirit  worthy  of  old  Massachusetts,  at  once 
proffered  the  services  of  his  regiment  for  fourteen  days  longer; 
no  one  doubting  that  the  place  would  fall  before  the  two  weeks 
should  pass  away. 

General  Banks  complimented  Colonel  Messer  and  his  com 
mand  for  this  patriotic  act  in  a  general  order  issued  before 
Port  Hudson. 

After  the  surrender  of  the  place,  the  50th  remained  there  on 
duty  up  to  the  day  of  departure  for  home,  which  was  on  the  29th. 
In  the  passage  up  the  Mississippi  the  regiment  was  destined  to 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  287 

renew  its  old  experience.  While  going  up  the  river  on  the 
gunboat  Omaha,  upon  arriving  two  miles  below  Helena,  Ark., 
the  rickety  old  craft  ran  upon  a  sand  bar  and  stuck  hard  and 
fast.  At  first  it  was  feared  she  would  sink,  but  the  men  all 
gave  a  helping  hand,  and  by  dint  of  bailing  and  pumping  for 
nearly  a  whole  night  the  boat  was  kept  in  safety  until  another 
one  was  procured  from  Helena.  It  took  nine  days  for  the  trip 
from  Port  Hudson  to  Cairo,  and  nine  men  died  on  the  way. 

The  regiment  left  Cairo  at  noon  on  the  7th  instant,  and  its  after 
experience  has  been  of  quite  a  different  nature.  From  Illinois 
to  Massachusetts  the  passage  was  a  perfect  ovation.  At  Cen- 
tralia,  Mattoon,  Terre  Haute,  Bellefontaine,  Marion,  Indian 
apolis,  Cleveland,  Erie,  Buffalo  and  Albany  the  most  enthu 
siastic  demonstrations  of  interest  were  made  in  honor  of  the 
gallant  boys  from  Port  Hudson.  At  all  these  places  refresh 
ments  were  provided  for  the  men.  The  reception  all  along  the 
route  through  Ohio  a  thousand  times  more  than  redeemed  the 
Buckeye  State  from  the  reproach  copperheads  have  lately  cast 
upon  it.  As  the  train  rolled  slowly  up  to  the  various  stations, 
men,  women  and  children  were  seen  loaded  with  delicious 
viands  to  bestow  upon  the  returning  soldiers.  All  memory  of 
hard-tack  and  salt  junk  faded  away  before  the  generous  stores 
of  fresh  milk,  peaches,  game,  pies  and  all  the  other  luxuries 
of  well-stocked  larders. 

The  50th  Regiment  returns  with  about  800  men.  Ten  have 
died  on  the  way.  In  all  there  have  been  75  deaths  in  the  regi 
ment.  Twenty-seven  sick  were  left  at  Cairo  and  three  at 
Cleveland  —  all  under  the  best  of  care. 

There  was  a  large  number  of  friends  of  the  regiment  assembled 
at  the  Worcester  Depot  to  meet  and  greet  it  upon  its  return, 
and  when  the  train  arrived  the  cheers  were  hearty  and  numer 
ous.  After  the  soldiers  had  been  provided  with  a  sufficient 
repast  at  the  Beach  Street  Barracks,  the  regiment  formed  in 
line,  headed  by  the  Chelsea  band,  and  marched  to  the  Common, 
accompanied  by  a  large  crowd  cheering  lustily,  where  all  the 
men  were  furloughed  for  six  days,  to  meet  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time  and  be  mustered  out  of  service. 


288  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

LETTER  FROM  A  SOLDIER  WHO  HAD  RECOVERED  HIS  HEALTH 

AND    RETURNED    HOME    FROM    THE    HOSPITAL 

MAY  26,  1863. 

Dear  Miss:  I  sit  down  to  tell  you  that  we  are  home  and  I 
wish  I  was  somewhere  else.  I'se  Got  3  Bully  Boys  and 
they  are  helping  me  about  geting  the  Garden  Sass  into  the 
ground,  but  they  haint  got  no  mother  and  I'se  got  a  house 
and  a  Kow  and  I  thot  you  'd  be  kind  of  handy  to  take  care 
of  them  if  you  'd  stoop  so  much.  I  Ve  thought  of  you  ever 
sense  I  came  from  the  Hospittle  and  how  kinder  Jimmy 
you  used  to  walk  up  and  down  them  wards.  You  had 
the  best  gate  I  ever  seen  and  my  first  wife  stepped  off  just 
so  and  she  paid  her  way  in  work  I  tell  you.  I  like  to 
work  and  the  Boys  like  to  work  and  I  know  you  do  so  I  ;d 
like  to  Jine  if  you  see  no  objection  &  now  I  Ve  made  so 
bold  to  write  sich  but  I  was  kinder  pushed  on  by  my 
feelinks  and  so  I  hope  you  will  excuse  it  and  write  soon, 
i  shant  be  mad  if  you  say  no;  but  it 's  no  harm  to  ask  and 
as  I  say  I  cant  help  writing  and  the  Boys  names  is  Zebulon, 
Shadrack  &  Peter.  They  want  to  see  you  as  does  your 
respectful  friend  which  owes  his  present  health  to  you. 


ROSTER 

OF    THE 

FIFTIETH    MASSACHUSETTS 
VOLUNTEERS 


FIELD   AND   STAFF 

CARLOS  P.  MESSER.  Colonel.  28.  Mustered  in  Nov.  11,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  He  was  born  in  New  London, 
N.H.,  but  when  quite  young  came  to  Haverhill,  Mass., 
where  he  remained  most  of  his  life.  He  was  very  active 
in  the  state  militia,  and  first  went  to  the  front  as  captain 
of  Company  D,  in  the  5th  Regiment,  for  three  months, 
under  Col.  Samuel  C.  Lawrence.  From  his  previous  ser 
vice  and  experience  in  military  affairs  he  was  selected  as 
the  proper  officer  to  command  the  regiment,  with  whom 
he  remained  during  the  entire  campaign.  He  received 
his  commission  July  7,  1863.  He  was  conscientious,  pa 
triotic,  kind-hearted  and  considerate  of  his  men,  and  at 
the  end  of  his  service  returned  to  civil  life,  and  for  many 
years  conducted  a  grocery  business  in  Haverhill.  About 
ten  years  ago  he  removed  to  New  York,  and  from  there 
went  to  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  where  he  died  Feb.  13,  1907. 

JOHN  W.  LOCKE.  Lieutenant-Colonel.  South  Reading.  34. 
Commissioned  July  7,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  11,  1862, 
and  mustered  out  Aug.  14,  1863.  He  was  born  April  10, 
1828;  was  captain  of  Company  B,  5th  Regiment  (three 
months),  and  was  present  at  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
He  was  in  command  of  the  camp  at  the  quarantine  station 
below  New  Orleans  two  months  in  1863,  and  president  of 
a  court  martial  at  Baton  Rouge.  He  was  in  charge  of  the 
guard  at  Port  Hudson  to  pass  Confederate  prisoners  of 
war  through  the  lines,  and  detailed  by  General  Banks  to 
conduct  prisoners  to  New  Orleans.  After  his  return  home 
he  resided  in  Wakefield,  and  died  Aug.  24,  1892. 


290  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

JOHN  HODGES,  JR.  Major.  Salem.  20.  Was  mustered  in 
Nov.  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  This 
brave  and  gallant  officer  was  born  at  Salem,  Dec.  8,  1841, 
attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  entered 
Harvard  College  in  1858,  where  he  remained  until  the  out 
break  of  the  Rebellion.  Prior  to  the  war  he  joined  the 
Salem  Light  Infantry,  better  known  as  the  Salem  Zouaves, 
who  answered  the  first  call  to  arms  in  April,  1861,  and 
went  out  in  the  8th  Regiment.  His  first  term  of  service 
was  from  April  to  August.  Returning  home  Aug.  22, 
1861,  he  was  mustered  in  as  first  lieutenant  in  the  19th 
Regiment,  serving  with  distinction  till  June  19  of  the  fol 
lowing  year,  when  he  was  compelled  to  resign  on  account 
of  severe  illness.  Recovering  his  health,  he  was  com 
missioned  major  of  the  50th,  with  which  he  remained  until 
its  final  discharge,  loved  and  admired  by  the  entire  regi 
ment.  Feb.  2,  1864,  he  was  mustered  in  as  lieutenant 
colonel  of  the  59th  Regiment  (Col.  J.  P.  Gould),  leaving 
the  state  the  following  April.  He  was  killed  at  Peters 
burg,  Aug.  3,  1864,  in  his  twenty-third  year.  While  lean 
ing  against  an  embankment  in  the  crater,  he  was  wounded 
in  the  thigh,  and  afterwards  struck  in  the  back  of  the  head 
by  a  bursting  shell  and  instantly  killed.  He  was  an  ideal 
soldier,  courageous,  generous  and  ardent,  who  gave  up  his 
life  after  having  served  his  country  in  four  different  regi 
ments.  He  represented  the  finest  type  of  the  young  men 
who  went  to  the  war,  and  had  he  lived  an  honorable  and 
even  an  illustrious  career  might  well  have  been  predicted 
for  him.  From  the  ranks  to  a  lieutenant  colonelcy  he 
filled  every  position  in  which  he  was  placed  with  distinc 
tion  and  honor. 

HENRY  A.  WENTWORTH.  Adjutant.  27.  Maiden.  Mustered 
uTNov.  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

HENRY  D.  DEGEN.  Quartermaster.  South  Reading.  29. 
Mustered  in  Nov.  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Resides  at  Newton  Centre. 

WILLIAM' COGSWELL.  Surgeon.  Bradford.  41.  Mustered  in 
Nov."  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dr. 
Cogswell  was  born  at  Atkinson,  N.H.,  and  after  his  dis- 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  291 

charge  returned  to  Bradford  and  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  his  profession  till  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  Bradford,  Aug.  15,  1891. 

NATHANIEL  W.  FRENCH.  Assistant  Surgeon.  He  came  from 
Concord,  N.H.,  was  born  in  1833,  mustered  in  Nov.  11, 
1862,  and  died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  21,  1863.  Dr. 
French  was  the  only  commissioned  officer  of  the  regiment 
who  died  during  the  service,  and  his  body  now  rests  in 
the  National  Cemetery  at  Baton  Rouge. 

JOHN  HANCOCK.  Assistant  Surgeon.  He  was  credited  from 
Pawtucket,  R.I.;  mustered  in  May  21,  1863,  and  mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  His  present  residence  is  Barre, 
Mass. 

ROBERT  HASSALL.  Chaplain.  Born  at  Hanley,  England,  April 
12,  1820.  Mustered  in  Nov.  11,  1862,  and  resigned  March 
2,  1863.  On  July  9,  1844,  he  was  appointed  and  ordained 
to  the  office  of  a  Methodist  missionary  to  labor  in  Canada. 
In  1846  he  went  to  Meadville,  Penn.,  and  took  a  three 
years'  course  in  the  theological  school.  In  1850  he  went  to 
St.  Louis,  having  accepted  a  call  to  preach  in  the  First 
Congregational  Church  there.  In  1852  he  became  the 
pastor  of  the  Unitarian  Church  in  Pittsburg,  and  from 
there  he  removed  to  Mendon,  Mass.,  where  he  remained 
about  four  years.  His  next  pastorate  was  in  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  where  he  resided  at  the  time  the  50th  Regiment 
was  raised.  After  leaving  the  army  he  preached  in  Keokuk, 
Iowa,  and  died  there  Sept.  27,  1900,  in  his  eighty-first 
year. 

OLIVER  A.  ROBERTS.  Sergeant  Major.  Haverhill.  24.  Mus 
tered  in  Nov.  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
He  is  a  lawyer  and  his  present  residence  is  Melrose,  Mass. 

DAVID  M.  KELLEY.  Quartermaster  Sergeant.  Haverhill.  21. 
Mustered  in  Nov.  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Born  in  Hamilton  in  May,  1841,  he  was  the  son  of 
Rev.  George  W.  Kelley,  who  was  a  Congregational  minis 
ter.  When  about  ten  he  removed  to  Haverhill.  He 
studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1865.  During 
the  siege  of  Port  Hudson,  on  account  of  the  illness  of 


292  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

Quartermaster  Degen,  he  was  acting  quartermaster.  "In 
1857  he  removed  to  Appleton,  Wis.  Here  he  became 
a  director  of  the  Green  Bay  and  Mississippi  Canal  Com 
pany,  and  took  charge  of  a  line  of  steamboats  running  in 
the  interests  of  the  company  on  the  Upper  and  Lower 
Fox  Rivers  and  on  Lake  Winnebago.  In  1868  Mr.  Kelley 
became  vice-president  and  superintendent  of  the  Lake  and 
River  Transportation  Company,  a  corporation  running 
steamboats  on  the  Upper  and  Lower  Fox  Rivers,  and  pro 
pellers  on  the  Great  Lakes,  and  of  which  company  Ex- 
Governor  Horatio  Seymour  of  New  York  was  president; 
and  in  the  spring  of  that  year  he  moved  from  Appleton 
to  Green  Bay.  In  1869  he  purchased  the  interest  of  the 
Dousmans  in  the  property  and  business  of  Dousman  & 
Elmore  of  Fort  Howard  on  the  west  side  of  Fox  River, 
opposite  Green  Bay,  then  owner  of  the  Green  Bay  eleva 
tor,  and  doing  an  elevator,  grain  and  wholesale  commis 
sion  business.  In  1870  he  became  a  director  and  vice- 
president  of  the  Green  Bay  and  Lake  Pepin  Railway 
Company,  a  corporation  organized  for  the  purpose  of  con 
structing  a  railroad  from  Green  Bay  to  the  Mississippi 
River.  After  careful  investigation  of  the  project  he  be 
came  convinced  that  there  was  great  merit  in  the  enter 
prise,  and  that  with  proper  effort  the  projected  road  could 
be  built,  and  he  therefore  resigned  his  office  with  the  com 
pany  and  entered  into  a  contract  to  construct  the  entire 
line,  binding  himself  to  complete  the  road  to  the  Mississippi 
on  or  before  Jan.  1,  1876.  The  first  rail  was  laid  in  1871, 
and  in  twenty-five  consecutive  months  from  that  time  the 
work  of  214  miles  was  completed.  This  road  is  now 
known  as  the  Green  Bay  &  Minnesota  Railroad,  of  which 
Mr.  Kelley  was  vice-president  and  general  manager  until 
December,  1877,  when  he  resigned  to  attend  to  his  private 
business."  Mr.  Kelley  was  for  a  time  politically  very 
prominent  in  Wisconsin.  In  1877  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Assembly,  and  in  the  same  year  presided  over  the  Repub 
lican  State  Convention.  During  the  session  of  1879  he 
was  the  speaker  of  the  Assembly,  and  later  was  favorably 
spoken  of  as  a  candidate  for  the  United  States  Senate, 
and  for  the  governorship  of  Wisconsin.  Some  years  ago, 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  293 

on  account  of  impaired  health,  he  returned  to  Massachu 
setts,  and  now  resides  in  Sharon. 

LEONARD  RAND.  Commissary  Sergeant.  Haverhill.  43. 
Mustered  in  Nov.  11,  1862,  and  discharged  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 

P.  A.  SAWYER.  Hospital  Steward.  Haverhill.  20.  Mustered 
in  Nov.  11,  1862;  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subse 
quent  service,  assistant  surgeon,  United  States  Navy. 
Present  residence,  Haverhill. 

HENRY  JOHNSTON.  Principal  Musician.  Topsfield.  33.  Mus 
tered  in  Nov.  11,  1862,  and  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

SOLOMON  NELSON.  First  Sergeant  of  Company  K.  While 
Sergeant  Nelson  was  not  on  the  regimental  staff,  for  many 
reasons  he  deserves  more  than  a  passing  notice  in  this 
history.  The  foregoing  pages  are  largely  transcripts  of  his 
diary,  with  very  slight  changes.  Indeed  his  entire  diary 
is  of  sufficient  interest  to  merit  publication.  He  had  a 
keen  sense  of  humor,  possessed  wit  of  no  mean  order,  and 
could  always  tell  a  good  story.  "He  was  a  great  reader, 
and  admired  the  humor  of  Dickens,  Thackeray  and  Tom 
Hood.  He  was  authority  on  the  former,  and  could  locate 
a  character  or  quotation  upon  an  instant's  reflection.  He 
used  to  say  a  book  'that  was  worth  reading  once  was 
worth  reading  repeatedly.'  He  never  wasted  time  with 
books  of  no  merit,  was  thoroughly  acquainted  with  stand 
ard  literature,  ancient  and  modern."  He  was  a  fine  rep 
resentative  of  the  best  New  England  stock,  his  ancestors 
having  lived  in  Rowley  and  the  vicinity  for  generations. 
He  was  born  Oct.  25,  1826,  and  Dec.  6,  1848,  married 
Elizabeth  Hobson  of  Rowley.  They  resided  in  Georgetown. 
He  kept  a  livery  stable  and  was  deputy  sheriff  for  many 
years.  At  various  times  he  occupied  the  positions  of 
selectman,  constable  and  auditor.  At  the  end  of  his  en 
listment  he  was  tendered  a  captain's  commission  by  Gov 
ernor  Andrew.  He  lived  a  pure  and  upright  life,  highly 
respected  by  the  community  and  county  in  which  he  lived, 
a  friend  to  good  citizens  and  a  terror  to  evil  doers.  He 
died  at  Georgetown,  March  17,  1882,  in  the  56th  year  of 
his  age. 


294  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


COMPANY   A 

GEORGE  D.  PUTNAM.  Capt.  Clerk.  Age  27.  Single.  Salem. 
Com.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Lt.  Co.  I  8th  Regt.  Died 
April  17,  1893. 

ROBERT  W.  REEVES.  1st  Lt.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Salem. 
Com.  May  7,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  I  8th  Regt.  Subse 
quent  service  Capt.  of  13th  Unattached  Infantry.  Died  in 
Salem,  Oct.  16,  1869. 

WILLIAM  B.  UPTON.  2d  Lt.  Clerk.  Age  24.  Single.  Salem. 
Com.  May  7,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  I  8th  Regt.  Subse 
quent  service  Capt.  of  the  1st  U.  S.  Vol.  Infantry. 

NATHAN  A.  FRYE.  1st  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  22.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Cambridge,  Mass. 

GEORGE  O.STEVENS.  Sergt.  Currier.  Age  25.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  I  8th  Regt.  Subse 
quent  service  Lt.  13th  Unattached  Infantry.  Residence,  Salem, 

Mass. 

AUGUSTUS  BROWN.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem  from  railroad  accident. 

JOHN  W.  EVANS.  Sergt.  Currier.  Age  20.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Lt.  13th  Unattached 
Infantry.  Died  in  Salem,  April,  1894. 

DAVID  E.  SAUNDERS.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  20.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Brookline,  Mass. 

GILMAN  A.  ANDREWS.  Corpl.  Painter.  Age  21.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Past  Commander  Post  34  G.A.R. 
Resides  in  Salem,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  295 

GEORGE  H.  BLINN.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Salem, 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  13th  Unattached 
Infantry  and  1st  Battalion  Frontier  Cavalry.  At  present 
resides  in  Salem  and  is  Captain  of  Police. 

WILLIAM  D.  BALCH.  Corpl.  Watchmaker.  Age  26.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Maiden,  Mass. 

WILLIAM  H.  DALRYMPLE.  Student.  Age  20.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chicago,  111. 

LEBBEUS  LEACH,  JR.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  22.  Single.  Boston. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  13th  Unattached 
Infantry.  Resides  in  Newton,  Mass. 

JEREMIAH  NELSON.  Corpl.  Dentist.  Age  26.  Single.  New- 
buryport.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  On  the  Color  Guard.  Resides 

in  Newburyport,  Mass. 

NATHANIEL  F.  ROBINSON.  Corpl.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem,  June,  1865. 

GREENLEAF  S.  TUKEY.  Corpl.  Machinist.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

JOHN  F.  SIMON.  Corpl.  Machinist.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died  in 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  18,  1863. 

EDWARD  STILLMAN.  Musician.  Student.  Age  15.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Oct.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  28,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Salem  Cadets. 
Subsequent  service  13th  Unattached  Co.  Infantry  and  Co.  E 
1st  Battalion  Frontier  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Salem. 

WILLIAM  DILLINGHAM.  Musician.  Carpenter.  Age  26. 
Married.  Dracut.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  4th 
Battery. 


296  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

ELIAS  A.  TROFATTER.  Wagoner.  Carpenter.  Age  24. 
•Single.  Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 

1862.  Died  on  the  Mississippi  River,  July  30,  1863.     Buried 
at  Natchez. 

ALLEN,  CHARLES  F.  Private.  Student.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

BABBIDGE,  WILLIAM  A.  Private.  Printer.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

BAKER,  HENRY  C.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  25.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Deserted 
Dec.  10,  1862.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  20th  Mass.  Died 
in  Wenham. 

BARKER,  CHARLES  F.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Nov.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  1,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Salem  Cadets. 
Died  in  Salem. 

BARENSON,  ABRAM  F.  Private.  Baker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Salem  Cadets. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  M  2d  Cavalry.  Died  in  Salem,  June 
28,  1887. 

BENNETT,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Cooper.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  13th  Un 
attached  Co.  and  Co.  E  1st  Battalion  Frontier  Cavalry.  Died 
in  Lynn,  Mass. 

BODEN,  THOMAS  C.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  44.  Married. 
Lynn.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 

1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

BOUSLEY,  NATHANIEL  C.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem,  March,  1905. 

BO VEY,  THOMAS  L.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  U.S.  Signal  Corps. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  297 

BROOKS,  HORACE  A.  Private.  Bookbinder.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  1st 
Battalion  Frontier  Cavalry.  Died  in  Salem,  Aug.  23,  1904. 

BROWN,  WILLIAM  P.  Private.  Currier.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

BRYANT,  RICHARD.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  22.  Married. 
Gloucester.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Deserted  Oct.  26,  1862. 

BRYANT,  TIMOTHY  W.  Private.  Baker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

CHESSMAN,  CHARLES.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  41.  Married. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

CLARK,  WILLIAM  B.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  24.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Deserted  Dec.  10,  1862,  in  New  York. 

COOK,  GEORGE  B.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

COPELAND,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Architect.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Salem  Cadets. 
Subsequent  service  23d  Regt.  Resides  in  Revere. 

DALRYMPLE,  GEORGE.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  13th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Died  in  Salem. 

DODGE,  JOSEPH  R.  Private.  Tanner.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died  at 
Port  Hudson,  La.,  July  26,  1863. 

EATON,  HORACE  D.  Private.  Cooper.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 


298  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

EVANS,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  26.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  La.  Subse 
quent  service  3d  Heavy  Artillery. 

FINDLAY,  EDWARD.  Private.  Tanner.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Feb.  23,  1863. 

FRIEND,  JOEL  M.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem,  May,  1907. 

GARDNER,  CHARLES  W.  Private.  Cooper.  Age  23.  Married. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Salem. 

GARDNER,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Florist.  Age  26.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

GLOVER,  JOSEPH  N.  Private.  Painter.  Age  22.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

GLOVER,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Printer.  Age  23.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Killed  by  an  electric  car. 

GOULD,  WILLIAM  C.  Private.  Painter.  Age  23.  Single. 
Charlestown.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Charlestown. 

HALE,  JOSEPH  S.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Redlands,  Cal. 

HALL,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  5th  Mass.  Died  in 
Peabody. 

HAMMOND,  WILLIAM  G.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  20.  Single. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Corpl.  of  the  13th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Died  in  Salem,  Aug.  3,  1898. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  299 

HARRINGTON,  LEONARD.  Private.  Currier.  Age  21.  Single. 
Enl.  Sept.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  21,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

HARRIS,  ALPHONSO  S.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Chelsea,  Mass. 

HARRIS,  WILLIAM  S.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem,  Mass. 

JANES,  JOHN.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  21.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Somerville  in  1905. 

KENDALL,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

KNOWLTON,  GEORGE.  Private.  Milkman.  Age  21.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  7,  1863. 

LAMSON,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Watchmaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24.  1863.  Subsequent  service  13th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Died  in  Salem. 

LANGDELL,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Painter.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem,  Mass. 

LEE,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Age  28.  Salem.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
15,  1862.  Discharged  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem,  Mass. 

LOWD,  JACOB  R.  Private.  Printer.  Age  21.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Corpl.  1st  Battalion 
Frontier  Cavalry.  Residence,  Lynn. 

LUSCOMB,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Police  officer.  Age  28. 
Married.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  I  8th  Regt. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  G  59th  and  Co.  E  57th.  Residence, 
Salem. 


300  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

MACKIE,  JOHN  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Boston. 

MORSE,  GEORGE  F.  Private.  Tanner.  Age  20.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  5,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

NEWTON,  ALBERT  E.  Private.  Baker.  Age  24.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Corpl.  of 
the  13th  Unattached  Infantry.  Died  in  Beverly. 

NICHOLS,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Cooper.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Sergt.  in 
the  13th  Unattached  Infantry.  Residence,  Salem. 

NOBLE,  JAMES  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem. 

OBER,  OLIVER.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  20.  Married.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died  at 
Mound  City,  111.,  Hospital,  Aug.  14,  1863. 

PALMER,  WILLIAM  H.  H.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  22.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem. 

PERCHARD,  CLEMENT  H.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  20.  Single. 
Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  New  Bedford. 

PERKINS,  CHARLES.  Private.  Mason.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Corpl.  in  13th  Un 
attached  Infantry  and  Private  in  1st  Battalion  Frontier  Cavalry. 
Died  in  Salem. 

PERKINS,  FRANCIS  M.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  in  Salem,  Aug.  17,  1863. 

PERKINS,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Currier.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  301 

PERKINS,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Civil  Engineer.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Salem. 

PERLEY,  THOMAS  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Trinidad,  Colo. 

PETERSON,  ANDREW  G.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Corpl.  13th 
Unattached  Infantry,  Private  Co.  E  1st  Battalion  Frontier 
Cavalry.  Died  in  Salem,  1881. 

PICKMAN,  HERSEY  D.  Private.  Student.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Corpl.  13th 
Unattached  Infantry.  Died  at  Dillon,  Mont. 

POND,  FREDERICK  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Lebanon,  N.H. 

POPE,  THOMAS  S.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  34.  Married. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  1st  Battalion 
Cavalry  and  the  U.S.  Navy.  Died  in  Salem. 

PRESTON,  OTIS  P.  Private.  Trader.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862.  Died  in 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  26,  1863. 

PRESTON,  WILLIAM  A.  Private.  Photographer.  Age  19. 
Single.  Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Woburn. 

ROBINSON,  JOHN.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Chicago,  111. 

SAFFORD,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Printer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

SANBORN,  JOSEPH  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Oct.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  16,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Elizabeth,  N.J.,  July  12, 
1906.  Buried  in  Salem. 


302  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

SCRIGGENS,  WILLIAM  J.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  28.  Single. 
Enl.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Soldiers'  Home,  Togus,  Me. 

SHORT,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Danvers. 

SKINNER,  JAMES  N.  Private.  Printer.  Age  23,  Married. 
Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Salem. 

SLEUMAN,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea,  Mass. 

SOUTHARD,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Expressman.  Age  21. 
Single.  Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  21, 
1862.  Discharged  for  disability  March  3,  1863.  Died  in 
Salem. 

STILLMAN,  AMOS  K.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  in  Salem  Cadets.  Subse 
quent  service  Co.  A  23d  Mass.  Resides  in  Salem,  Mass. 

STODDARD,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  18. 
Single.  Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

STRATTON,  BENJAMIN  F.  Private.  Trader.  Age  27.  Married. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  1,  1863. 

SYMONDS,  EDWARD  A.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  3d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Died  in  Salem. 

THORNDIKE,  THEODORE  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

TRASK,  JAMES  E.  Private.  Painter.  Age  20.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  13th  Unattached 
Infantry. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  303 

TUTTLE,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Peabody. 

UPTON,  WARREN  A.  Private.  Tin  plate  worker.  Age  31. 
Single.  Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem. 

WARNER,  FRANK  B.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Peabody,  Mass. 

WATERS,  JAMES  V.  Private.  Brass  founder.  Age  23.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  on  the  Mississippi  River,  Aug.  1,  1863. 

WATSON,  JOHN  F.  Private.  Printer.  Age  22.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Sergeant  in  13th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Resides  in  Cambridge. 

WOODBURY,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Mason.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Hamilton,  Mass. 

OCCUPATIONS 

Clerks 30  Civil  engineer 1 

Sailors 13  Architect 1 

Printers 6  Dentist 1 

Painters 5  Bookbinder 1 

Curriers 5  Florist 1 

Students       4  Farmer 1 

Carpenters 4  Photographer 1 

Coopers 4  Blacksmith 1 

Tanners 3  Brass  founder 1 

Bakers 3  Tin  plate  worker 1 

Watchmakers 2  Expressman 1 

Machinists 3  Milkman 1 

Traders 2  Policeman      1 

Masons 2  No  occupation      3 

Married,  10;   single,  91.   Average  age,  21  years  3  months. 


304  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

COMPANY  B 

JOHN  LANGDON  WARD.  Captain.  Student.  Age  20.  Single. 
Salem.  Com.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Resigned  July  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  I  8th  Regt. 
Subsequent  service  Major  in  U.S.  Colored  Infantry. 

EDWARD  W.  PHILLIPS.  1st  Lieut.  Age  20.  Single.  Salem. 
Com.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Resigned  on  account  of  ill  health  July  13, 
1863,  and  died  at  Salem,  Oct.  13,  1867.  Previous  service  in 
4th  Battalion,  which  garrisoned  Fort  Independence  for  several 
weeks  in  1861.  He  was  assigned  to  special  service  as  Com 
missary  of  Subsistence  on  the  voyage  to  New  Orleans  on  the 
transport  J.  S.  Green,  which  sailed  from  New  York,  Dec.  3, 
1862.  On  arriving  at  New  Orleans  he  became  superintendent 
of  the  U.S.  bakery  there,  but  subsequently  rejoined  his  regi 
ment.  He  was  the  son  of  Stephen  C.  Phillips  of  Salem. 

WILLIAM  H.  KURD.  2d  Lieut.  Mason.  Age  31.  Single.  Salem. 
Com.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  A  5th  Regt,  Died 
in  Salem,  April  20,  1905. 

BENJAMIN  F.  BLATCHFORD.  1st  Sergt.  Seaman.  Age  27. 
Married.  Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  15, 1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Glouces 
ter  in  1906. 

JAMES  STOREY.  Sergt.  Carpenter.  Age  44.  Married.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Pigeon  Cove,  Mass. 

CHARLES  S.  COTTING.  Sergt.  Machinist,  Age  24.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Elmer,  N.J. 

MARCUS  A.  HANNA.  Sergt.  Seaman.  Age  26.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Received  a  Medal  of  Honor.  Sub 
sequent  service  in  Co.  K  2d  Heavy  Artillery.  Residence, 
Knightville,  Me. 

ELAM  W.  BURNHAM.  Sergt.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single.  Hamil 
ton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  25,  1863. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  305 

ANDREW  J.  FISH.  Corpl.  Fanner.  Age  30.  Married.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  Quarantine,  La.,  April  18,  1863. 

DAVID  L.  TUTTLE.  Corpl.  Stonecutter.  Age  34.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Uxbridge, 

Mass. 

JAMES  F.  TUCKER.  Corpl.  Seaman.  Age  30.  Married.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  19,  1863. 

GEORGE  W.  DADE.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  29.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Residence, 
Hastings,  Neb. 

EDWARD  C.  LANE.  Corpl.  Fisherman.  Age  21.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Oct.  7,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Rockport,  Mass. 

HARRY  HAYWOOD.  Corpl.  Machinist.  Age  19.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in 
Co.  H  llth  Regt.  Resides  in  Boston,  Mass. 

HENRY  P.  BREWER.  Wagoner.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  5,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  2d  Un 
attached  Co.  Infantry.  Resides  in  Hamilton,  Mass. 

ANDREWS,  AUGUSTUS  H.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Salem,  Mass. 

BAMFORD,  JESSE.  Private.  Finisher.  Age  18.  Single.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  North  Andover.  Mass. 

BARKER,  ANDREW  J.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  32.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out. 
Resides  in  North  Andover,  Mass. 


306  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

BARNES,  ISRAEL  D.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Wenham.  Enrolled  Aug.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in 
2d  Unattached  Co.  Infantry.  Dead. 

BEALS,  JOHN.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  18.  Single.  Rockport. 
Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  G  8th  Regt. 

BEALS,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Stonecutter.  Age  44.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability,  April  27,  1863.  Died  in  Salem, 
Mass. 

BEALS,  WILLIAM  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Oct.  27, 1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 1862.  Absent 
sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out. 

BOWEN,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  44.  Married. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  without  leave.  Died  in  Ipswich,  May  24,  1895. 

BOYNTON,  DAVID  P.,  JR.  Private.  Merchant.  Age  30.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Died  in 
Rockport. 

BREEN,  JAMES,  JR.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  19.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  2d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Rockport,  Mass. 

BREEN,  PETER,  JR.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  23.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Rockport. 

BROWN,  EPHRAIM.  Private.  Stonecutter.  Age  25.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Woonsocket,  R.I. 

BUTLER,  DAVID.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  26.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Dead. 

BUTLER,  THOMAS.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  21.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  307 

BUTTERWORTH,  JOHN,  JR.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  22. 
Married.  North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent 
service  Co.  B  1st  Battalion  Cavalry.  Died  in  North  Andover. 

BUTTERWORTH,  ROBERT.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  18. 
Single.  North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in 
Cambridge. 

CHADWICK,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  23.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  West  Boxford, 


CHASE,  EDMUND  L.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  19.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1S62.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Worcester. 

CHASE,  PARKER  J.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  26.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  North  An 
dover,  Mass. 

CHOATE,  SOLOMON.  Private.  Painter.  Age  22.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Died  in 
Rockport  in  1904. 

CLARK,  HOSEA  B.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  22.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
at  Quarantine,  La.,  April  16,  1863. 

CLEGG,  JAMES.  Private.  Finisher.  Age  23.  Married.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Dead. 

COGSWELL,  THOMAS.  Private.  Dentist.  Age  27.  Single. 
East  Cambridge.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Served  in  Hospital  Dept. 
as  attendant.  Residence,  San  Diego,  Cal. 

DAY,    DAVID    M.     Private.      Stonecutter.      Age  42.  Married. 

Rockport.     Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.     Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 

Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Died  in 
Rockport,  Mass. 


308  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

DEVON,  JOSEPH  G.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  19.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Left 
at  Cairo,  111.,  sick.  Honorably  discharged  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Gold  Hill,  Nev. 

DODGE,  ALLEN  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  25.  Married. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Hamilton,  Mass. 

DODGE,  ALPHONSO  M.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  13,  1862.  Dead. 

EL  WELL,  ALVIN  F.  Private.  Quarryman.  Age  38.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Died  in 
Ipswich,  Mass. 

FOSS,  JOHN  G.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  22.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  D  1st  Heavy  Artillery. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  H  3d  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in 
Beverly,  Mass. 

GAFFNEY,  CORNELIUS.  Private.  Spinner.  Age  32.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

GALLAGHER,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  26.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

GILES,  THADDEUS.  Private.  Mason.  Age  33.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Died  in 
Rockport  in  1906. 

GODAY,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  39.  Married.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
Aug.  21,  1863,  in  Rockport. 

GORRAN,  NICHOLAS.  Private.  Weaver.  Age  21.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  North  An 
dover,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  309 

GRIFFEN,  JOSEPH  A.  Private.  Peddler.  Age  18.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  M  4th 
Heavy  Artillery. 

GRIMES,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Stonecutter.  Age  25.  Mar 
ried.  Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Gloucester, 

Mass. 

HASKINS,  THOMAS.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  36.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
at  Quarantine,  La.,  March  25,  1863. 

HILL,  RICHARD  W.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  21.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Subsequent 
service  Co.  M  4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Residence,  Winchester, 


HOLBROOK,  ADEN.  Private.  Stonecutter.  Age  25.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  March  19,  1863.  Accidentally  shot. 

HOOD,  HIRAM  D.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  39.  Married.  Hamil 
ton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Dead. 

HUGHES,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Spinner.  Age  21.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  26,  1863. 

KINSMAN,  AUSTIN  G.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  20.  Single.  Hamil 
ton.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
en  route  home,  Aug.  20,  1863. 

KNIGHTS,  JOHN  S.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  19.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Rockport,  Mass. 

LEIGHTON,  BENJAMIN.  Private.  Moulder.  Age  43.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  21,  1863.  Died  in  Gloucester  in  1896. 


310  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

LOWE,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  22.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Resides  in 
Gloucester. 

McJANNETT,  JOHN.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  38.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Rockport  in  1897. 

McJANNETT,  SAMUEL,  JR.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  28.  Mar 
ried.  Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  llth 
Battery.  Died  in  Rockport,  Mass.,  1897. 

MILLER,  JAMES.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  19.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Feb.  23,  1866,  2d  Lieut,  U.S.A.  July  28, 
1866,  1st  Lieut.,  U.S.A.  June  7,  1899,  Capt.,  U.S.A.  Retired 
as  Brig.-Gen.,  U.S.A.  Grandson  of  Gen.  James  Miller. 

MORDOUGH,  JOHN  C.  Private.  Student.  Age  18.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MORSE,  CHARLES  B.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  19.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Charlestown. 

MORSE,  GEORGE  E.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  23.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Rockport,  Mass. 

MORRIS,  REUBEN.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  25.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Essex,  Mass. 

MULLIN,  JOHN.  Private.  Spinner.  Age  21.  Single.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

PARKHURST,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Oct.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Gloucester,  Mass. 

PATCH,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Essex,  May,  1907. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  311 

PATCH,  LORING  G.  Private.  Stonecutter.  Age  29.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  3,  1863. 

PEABODY,  ANSEL.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  43.  Single.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  North  Andover,  Aug.  19,  1863. 

PEACH,  JOHN  H.  Private.  Stonecutter.  Age  44.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Sept.  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Rockport,  May  21,  1892. 

PETTINGILL,  CHARLES.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  23.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

PETTINGILL,  NATHANIEL  W.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  20. 
Single.  Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 

15,  1862.     Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  11,  1863. 

PIERCE,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  22.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Rockport. 

POOLE,  CALEB  N.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  33.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Rockport. 

POOLE,  JOHN  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  2,  1863. 

POOLE,  RUFUS.    Private.    Farmer.    Age  18.    Single.  Rockport. 

Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.     Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered 

out  Aug.  24,  1863.     Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  2d  Heavy 
Artillery.     Died  in  Rockport. 

SLEEPER,  BENJAMIN  F.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  29.  Mar 
ried.  Rockport.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Rockland,  Me. 

SULLIVAN,  JOHN.  Private.  Age  21.  North  Andover.  Enl. 
Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Deserted  Sept. 

16,  1862. 


312  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

SWAN,  BENJAMIN  F.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  31.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Deserted,  Nov.  7,  1862. 

TARR,  SOLOMON.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  23.  Married.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Boston,  Mass. 

TRUSSELL,  ARTHUR  B.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1862.  Subsequent  service  Co.  F  23d 
Mass.  Resides  in  Framingham,  Mass. 

TUCKER,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  42.  Married. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out.  Died  in 
Rockport,  Jan.  4,  1882. 

TUCKER,  WILLIAM,  JR.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  18.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Died  at  Quarantine,  La.,  Feb.  25,  1863. 

TUTTLE,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  18.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Resides  in  North  Andover, 

Mass. 

TUTTLE,  JOHN  M.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  32.  Single.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Pigeon  Cove,  Mass. 

TUTTLE,  NICHOLAS  Private.  Mason.  Age  45.  Married. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Died  at  Quarantine,  La.,  April  25,  1863. 

WEEKS,  JOHN.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  43.  Single.  Hamilton. 
Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K  2d  Heavy  Artillery. 
Died  in  Hamilton. 

WETHERBEE,     ANDREW    P.  Private.      Laborer.      Age  18. 

Single.     Rockport.     Enl.  Aug.  19,   1862.     Mustered  in  Sept. 

15,    1862.     Absent   sick   when  regiment  was    mustered    out. 
Died  in  Rockport. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  313 

WHEELER,  GEORGE.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  22.  Single. 
Rockport.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  3d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

WITHAM,  JOHN.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  36.  Married.  Rock- 
port.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Gloucester,  Mass. 

WOODBURY,  JOHN  L.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  19.  Single. 
Hamilton.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Hamilton,  Mass. 

OCCUPATIONS 

Seamen 23  Fisherman 1 

Farmers 17  Hostler 1 

Stonecutters 8  Merchant 1 

Machinists 6  Printer 1 

Clerks 4  Dentist 1 

Carpenters 4  Quarryman 1 

Masons 3  Weaver 1 

Blacksmiths 3  Peddler 1 

Spinners 3  Moulder 

Laborers 3  Cordwainer 

Students 2  Mariner 

Shoemakers 2  Teamster 

Finishers 2  Butcher      

No  business 

Married,  38;  single,  53.    Average  age,  26  years  3  months. 


COMPANY  C 

DARIUS  N.  STEVENS.  Capt.  Trader.  Age  33.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Com.  July  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Lieut.  Co.  L 
6th  Regiment.  Died  at  Stoneham,  May  26,  1892.  Captain 
Stevens  was  the  son  of  Darius  Stevens  of  Stoneham,  one  of 
the  leading  citizens  of  the  town  in  his  time,  and  grandson  of 
Rev.  John  H.  Stevens,  who  for  over  thirty  years  was  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church  in  Stoneham.  Captain  Stevens 
was  highly  esteemed  in  the  regiment  as  a  brave  and  patriotic 
officer. 


314  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

SAMUEL  C.  TRULL.  1st  Lieut.  Operator.  Age  25.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Com.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Lt.  Co.  L  6th 
Regt.  At  present  resides  in  Stoneham. 

FREDERICK  COCHRANE.  2d  Lieut.  Lawyer.  Methuen. 
Single.  Com.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  E 
59th  Regt.  Died  in  Boston. 

JEFFERSON  HAYES.  1st  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  L  6th  Regt. 
Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  5th  Regt.  Died  in  Stoneham. 

WALLACE  HYDE.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  23.  Married.  Lawrence. 
Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  At  Soldiers'  Home  in  Chelsea. 

FRANCIS  M.  SWEETSER.  Sergt.  Operator.  Age  23.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  in  Co.  L  6th 
Regt.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  5th  Regt.  Resides  in 
Stoneham. 

JOHN  TAYLOR.  Sergt.  Spinner.  Age  26.  Married.  Lawrence. 
Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MARSHALL  P.  SWEETSER.  Sergt.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  26. 
Married.  Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
Co.  K  5th  Regt.  Resides  in  Boston. 

JOHN  L.  COTTON.  Corpl.  Laborer.  Age  28.  Single.  Stoneham. 
Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  4th  Heavy 
Artillery. 

LEWIS  MAXWELL.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  35.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  F  5th  Regt. 
Died  in  Stoneham. 

STEPHEN  O'HARA.  Corporal.  Shoemaker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  315 

WILLIAM  T.TURNER.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

WILLIAM  H.  KURD.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  32.  Married.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  5th 
Regt.  Died  in  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

WILLIAM  B.  STEVENS.  Corpl.  Student.  Age  19.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Resides  in  Stoneham,  and  is  a  justice  of  the  Superior 
Court. 

MOSES  DOWNES,  JR.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K 
5th  Regt.  Died  in  Stoneham. 

JOSEPH  W.  FIELDS.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  in  Co.  I  8th 
Regt.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  5th  Regt.  Resides  in 
Woburn. 

ALBERT  N.  HOLDEN.  Musician.  Last  maker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enlisted  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out, 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  5th  Regt.  Re 
sides  in  New  York  City. 

MARK  M.  BAILEY.  Musician.  Laborer.  Age  20.  Single. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  Nov.  1,  1862. 

LUTHER  HARRIMAN.  Wagoner.  Teamster.  Age  22.  Married. 
Saugus.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Saugus,  Mass. 

ABERCROMBIE,  JOHN.  Private.  Dresser.  Age  40.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lawrence,  Mass. 

BAILEY,  WILLIAM  P.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  20.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Transferred  Nov.  1, 1862,  to  Co.  K  50th.  Resides  in  Newbury, 
Mass. 


316  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

BARLOW,  ALFRED.  Private.  Weaver.  Age  27.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Waltham,  Mass. 

BICKNELL,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24. 
Single.  Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BLODGETT,  LEVI  S.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  19.  Single. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BOARDMAN,  JAMES.  Private.  Spinner.  Age  42.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BODWELL,  STEPHEN  B.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lawrence. 

BOWER,  ROBERT.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  34.  Single.  Lawrence. 
Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lawrence. 

BOYLE,  JAMES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Stoneham. 

BRIERLY,  DAVID.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  42.  Married. 
Saugus.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BROWN,  ROBERT  K.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K 
5th  Regt.,  and  Co.  L  3d  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Stoneham,  Mass. 

BUTTERWORTH,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Spinner.  Age  39. 
Married.  Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Soldiers' 
Home,  Togus,  Me. 

CARLTON,  HENRY  C.  Private.  Operator.  Age  18.  Single. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  L  2d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Detroit,  Mich. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  317 

CHARLESWORTH,  EMANUEL  B.  Private.  Weaver.  Age  32. 
Married.  Lawrence.  Enl.  Sept.  9,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Discharged  Feb.  7,  1863,  for  disability.  Died  in 
Portsmouth,  N.H. 

CLARK,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Weaver.  Age  32.  Married.  Lowell. 
Enl.  Oct.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  30,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 

CLARK,  PATRICK.  Private.  Age  24.  Methuen.  Enl.  Sept.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Only  on  the  muster  roll. 

CLEMENT,  JULIUS.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CLOUGH,  JOHN  B.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K 
5th  Regt.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

COLE,  THOMAS.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single.  New- 
field,  Me.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

DECATUR,  ANDREW  J.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  35.  Married. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Sept.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  West  Haverhill,  Mass. 

DIKE,  MARCUS  M.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  19.  Single.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Stoneham. 

DUGAN,  JAMES  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  I 
4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

ELDRED,  ALMOND.  Private.  Currier.  Age  19.  Single.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

FOWLER,  BENJAMIN  A.  Private.  Student.  Age  18.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Arizona.  Was  de 
tailed  on  the  Signal  Corps. 


318  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

GOODWIN,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  24.  Single.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lawrence. 

GOODWIN,  JOHN  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  45.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Stoneham. 

GOODWIN,    THOMAS.      Private.  Laborer.      Age  20.      Single. 

Lawrence.     Enl.  Aug.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 

Absent  sick  when  the   regiment  was   mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.     Resides  in  Lawrence. 

GREEN,  ARTHUR  M.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  23.  Single. 
North  Andover.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Resides  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

HALL,  JOHN  N.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  42.  Married.  Methuen. 
Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  in 
hospital  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  8,  1863. 

HARDACRE,  AARON.  Private.  Dresser.  Age  40.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Waltham,  Mass. 

HERSEY,  ALVIN  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K 
5th  Regt.,  and  Co.  L  3d  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

HOWARD,  BERNARD.  Private.  Operator.  Age  35.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lawrence. 

HOWARD,  FRANK  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 

HURD,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  B  2d 
Heavy  Artillery,  and  Co.  B  17th  Regt.  Died  in  Lynn,  Mass. 

JACKSON,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  26.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lawrence,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  319 

JONES,  GEORGE.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Single.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  5th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

KELLEY,  OWEN.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  K  5th  Regt. 
Resides  in  Stoneham. 

KENYON,  THOMAS.  Private.  Dyer.  Age  25.  Married.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  North  Andover. 

LAHEY,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in 
Co.  K  5th  Regt.  Dead. 

LARKIN,  JOHN.  Private.  Musician.  Age  39.  Married.  Charles- 
town.  Enl.  Oct.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  in  Band  of  2d  R.I. 
Infantry.  Subsequent  service  in  Brigade  Band  of  No.  1  Corps 
d'Afrique.  Dead. 

LEIGHTON,  LEWIS.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

LOVEJOY,  JAMES  L.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  21.  Single. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  C  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Died  in  Methuen. 

MAILEY,  NICHOLAS  J.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  33.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  L  4th 
Heavy  Artillery. 

MCCARTHY,  DENNIS  G.  Private.  Age  27.  Married.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Jan.  3,  1863. 

McDADE,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  24.  Married.  Law 
rence.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


320  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

McKAY,  GEORGE.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  33.  Married.  Law 
rence.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MEAD,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  27.  Single.  North 
Andover.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MESSER,  ALONZO.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  26.  Single. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

MESSER,  MYRON  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  At  present  resides  in  Windsor,  Vt. 

MILLS,  JESSE.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  41.  Married.  Methuen. 
Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  at 
Baton  Rouge,  La,,  April  17,  1863. 

MITCHELL,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Dyer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MOODY,  JAMES  S.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  30.  Married.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  L  6th 
Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  3d  Heavy  Artillery.  Died 
at  Togus,  Me.,  September,  1892.  Buried  in  Bradford,  Mass. 

NEVERS,  JOHN  W.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  33.  Married.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

O'SHEA,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  35.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lawrence. 

POMEROY,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Student.  Age  18.  Single. 
Boston.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  6th 
Regt.  Resides  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

QUIMBY,  LESTER  F.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K 
5th  Regt.  Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  321 

RANDALL,  CHARLES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  19.  Married. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  A  4th 
Heavy  Artillery. 

RANDALL,  JOHN.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Single. 
Methuen.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

SEELEY,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  18.  Single.  Methuen. 
Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Discharged 
at  Boston,  May  30,  1863,  for  disability.  Died  at  Amesbury, 
Aug.  2,  1892. 

SHIELDS,  ROBERT.  Private.  Hatter.  Age  18.  Single.  Methuen. 
Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Methuen. 

SMITH,  THOMAS.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  27.  Married.  Law 
rence.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  59th 
Regt.  Died  in  Methuen,  Mass. 

STACKPOLE,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  25.  Married. 
Lowell.  Enl.  Nov.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  D  1st 
Battery  Heavy  Artillery. 

TAY,  BENJAMIN  F.,  JR.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  L  6th  Regt. 
Dead. 

TAY,  FRANKLIN  BAXTER.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25. 
Single.  Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

TURNER,  JOHN  A.  Private.  Operator.  Age  21.  Single. 
Medford.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  East  Auburn,  Me. 

WARREN,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Chemist.  Age  21.  Single. 
Dover,  N.H.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Re-enlisted,  and  transferred  June  28,  1863,  to  General  Banks's 
corps  of  Clerks. 


322  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

WENTWORTH,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18. 
Single.  Methuen.  Enl.  Aug.  12,  1862  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

WHEELER,  JOSEPH  B.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  25.  Single.  Stone- 
ham.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1863.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1863.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Stoneham. 

WHEELER,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Mar 
ried.  Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Discharged  Feb.  18,  1863,  for  disability.  Died  in 
Stoneham,  Mass. 

YOUNG,  GEORGE  W.  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Married. 
Stoneham.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

OCCUPATIONS 

Shoemakers 27      Dyers      2 

Laborers 17      Musician 1 

Farmers 6      Trader 

Operators 5      Lawyer 

Clerks 5      Last  maker 

Spinners 3      Carpenter       

Students 3      Currier 

Dressers 3      Hostler 

Weavers 3      Hatter 

Shoe  cutters 2      Chemist      1 

Teamsters 2      None 2 

Married,  44;    single,  44;    unknown,  1.     Average  age  at  date  of 
enlistment,  28  years  and  3  months. 


COMPANY  D 

JOSIAH  W.  COBURN.  Capt.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  49.  Married. 
Reading.  Com.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Reading. 

JOHN  S.  CONEY.  1st  Lieut.  Shoemaker.  Age  39.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Com.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B 
5th  Regt.  Died  in  Worcester. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  323 

ORAMEL  G.  ABBOTT.  2d  Lieut.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Reading.  Com.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B  5th  Regt. 
Died  in  Milford,  Conn. 

STEPHEN  P.  ROWELL.  1st  Sergt.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  36. 
Married.  Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
Co.  H  18th  Regt.  Died  in  Melrose. 

GEORGE  J.  BARTLETT.  Sergt.  Carpenter.  Age  35.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  2,  1863. 

ASA  C.  BUCK.  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Married.  Reading. 
Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  at 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  19,  1863. 

LEVI  SWAIN,  JR.  Sergt.  Farmer.  Age  39.  Married.  Wilming 
ton.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  North  Wilmington,  Mass. 

HARLEY  PRENTISS.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  Reading. 
Enl.  Aug.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  1st  Battery 
Heavy  Artillery.  Died  in  Reading,  Mass. 

EDWARD  D.  PEARSON.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  25.  Married- 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Ballardvale,  Mass. 

JOSEPH  T.  BATCHELLER.  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co. 
A  1st  Battalion  Cavalry.  Resides  at  Cambridgeport. 

ASA  P.  TIBBETTS.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  39.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept,  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  8,  1863. 

TOBIAS  PINKHAM.  Corpl.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  32.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  2,  1863. 

JAMES  P.  MORTON.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  39.  Married. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Saugus. 


324  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

GEORGE  M.  PEASLEE.  Corpl.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  33.  Mar 
ried.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Died  in  Charlestown. 

WILLIAM  BUCK.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married.  Read 
ing.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill. 

WILLIAM  H.  NASH.  Corpl.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  34.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Reading. 

JUSTIN  M.  WESTON.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Appointed  Corpl.  April  20,  1863. 
Dead. 

SAMUEL  T.  SWEETSER.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  27.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Appointed  Corpl.  July  2,  1863. 
Resides  in  Reading. 

DAVID  G.  RICHARDSON.  Corpl.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  36. 
Married.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  26, 1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 

1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.     Appointed  Corpl.  July  2, 

1863.  Died  in  Reading. 

AUGUSTINE  P.  COOK.  Corpl.  Farmer.  Age  19.  Single.  North 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Appointed  Corpl.  July  2,  1863. 
Dead. 

JOHN  L.  FARRELL.  Musician.  Artist.  Age  25.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

GEORGE  ROGERS.  Wagoner.  Painter.  Age  39.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BANCROFT,  GEORGE.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  17.  Single. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  D  59th 
Regt.  Died  in  Woburn. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  325 

BANCROFT,  HASKEL  K.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  31.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  5,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BANCROFT,  HENRY  L.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  17.  Single. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  1st 
Battery  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Wilmington,  Mass. 

BARNES,  JOHN  A.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  23.  Single.  Read 
ing.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Dis 
charged  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Feb.  11,  1863,  for  disability. 

BATTELLE  CHARLES  P.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  18.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  A  59th 
Regt. 

BLANCHARD,  EDWIN.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  44.  Married. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BOYCE,  CHARLES  M.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  22.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Resides  in  Stoneham. 

BRUCE,  GEORGE  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Woburn. 

BUNKER,  NOBLE.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  32.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Sick.  Resides  in  Reading. 

CARR,  DANIEL  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single.  Wil 
mington.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Dead. 

CONEY,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  25.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K  5th 
Regt.  Died  in  Haverhill  in  1900. 


326  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

CONEY,  GEORGE  C.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  43.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Reading. 

COOK,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Salem.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Reading. 

DALEY,  JEREMIAH.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  Aug.  10,  1863,  at  Mound  City,  III 

DAMON,  CHRISTOPHER  C.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 

EAMES,  HENRY  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  23.  Single.  Wil 
mington.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Wilmington. 

EATON,  APPLETON  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
No.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  1st 
Battery  Heavy  Artillery.  Died  at  North  Reading. 

EATON,  MOSES  F.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  46.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Quarantine,  La.,  Feb.  18,  1863. 

EVANS,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

FLETCHER,  NATHAN  B.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

FLINT,  ASA  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single.  No. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Boston,  May  29,  1863,  for  disability.  Resides  in 
North  Reading. 

FLINT,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
No.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  North  Reading. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  327 

FLINT,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  North  Reading. 

FORTISS,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  45.  Married. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

FROST,  CHARLES  C.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  34.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Reading. 

FULTON,  JOSEPH  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  23.  Single.  An- 
dover.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  at  Methuen. 

GATES,  HENRY  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single.  North 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept  19,  1862. 
Died  Aug.  8,  1863,  at  Mound  City,  111. 

GOODWIN,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Organ  pipe  maker.  Age  21. 
Single.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston. 

GOWING,  CHARLES  P.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  36.  Married. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wilmington  in  1887. 

GOWING,  GAYTON.  Private.  Hospital  nurse.  Age  25.  Single. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

GREEN,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

GROVER,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  21.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

HARNDEN,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  23.  Single. 
Andover.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn. 


328  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

HARNDEN,  OTIS.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  23.  Single.  Wil 
mington.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

HARRIS,  THOMAS  W.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  35.  Married. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Reading. 

HOLT,  CHARLES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Mattoon,  111.,  Aug.  18,  1863. 

HOLT,  MILTON  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 

1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  18,  1863. 

HOLT,  SQUIRES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

HOPKINS,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  on  Aug.  24, 

1863.  Dead. 

HOPKINS,  JOSEPH  B.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  45.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Deny,  N.H. 

HOWARD,  JOHN  L.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Single. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Richmond,  N.H. 

HUNTER,  WILLIAM  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

JENKINS,  CHARLES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  42.  Married. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Died  in  North  Reading,  Mass. 

JONES,  LORING.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  36.  Married. 
Boston.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  C 
1st  Battalion  of  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Gloucester,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  329 

KENDALL,  WALDO  T.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  32. 
Married.  Charlestown.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Oct.  2,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 


,  WILLIAM.     Private.     Shoemaker.     Age  26.  Married. 

Reading.     Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.     Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 

Mustered   out  Aug.   24,    1863.     Subsequent   service  in  Co.   I 
llth  Regt.     Resides  in  Reading. 

MARSHALL,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  32. 
Married.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
2d  Battery.  Resides  at  Hampton,  Va. 

McALEER,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  26.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  14,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  56th 
Regt.  Died  in  Reading,  Mass. 

McINTIRE,  AMOS.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  36.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Died  in  Deny,  N.H. 

MILLIGAN,  GEORGE.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  22.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wilmington,  Mass. 

MUNROE,  CHARLES  M.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S. 
Signal  Corps. 

MYERS,  CHARLES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

NICHOLS,  AMOS  B.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  14,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  24,  1863. 

NICHOLS,  EDWARD  E.  Private.  Stitcher.  Age  28.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  14,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Readville,  Mass.,  Aug.  20,  1863. 


330  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

NICHOLS,  NATHANIEL.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  32.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  14,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Dead. 

NICHOLS,  WILLIAM  R.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  41.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  18, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
Principal  Musician  of  the  57th  Regt.  Dead. 

PARKER,  CLARKSON.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

PARKER,  EDWARD.  Private.  Mason.  Age  24.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  at  Mound  City,  111.,  when  regiment  was  mustered  out. 

PEARSON,  GEORGE  O.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  29.  Married. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  at  North  Wilmington,  April  25, 1863,  for  disability. 

PEARSONS,  DANIEL  N.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Mar 
ried.  Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wilmington, 

Mass. 

PERKINS,  WALTER  G.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  17.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  A  59th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

PLATTS,  CHARLES  B.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S. 
Signal  Corps.  Resides  in  Woburn. 

PRATT,  EDWARD  E.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  31.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 

PRATT,  STILLMANM.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  32.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  1891  in  Reading. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  331 

PRENTISS,  SAMUEL.  Private.  Artist.  Age  49.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

RICHARDSON,  HORACE  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28. 
Single.  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

SIDELINKER,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22. 
Single.  North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent 
service  Co.  E  1st  Battery  Heavy  Artillery.  Died  at  North 
Wilmington,  Mass. 

TAYLOR,  CHARLES.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  18.  Single.  Read 
ing.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  B  1st  Battalion 
Cavalry.  Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

TRULL,  JOHN  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Married. 
Andover.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  9,  1863. 

UPTON,  AMBROSE.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  36.  Married.  Wil 
mington.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  D  59th 
Regt.  Dead. 

UPTON,  RUSSELL.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lynn,  December,  1906. 

WALLS,  PASCHAL  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single. 
North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S. 
Signal  Corps.  Resides  in  North  Reading,  Mass. 

WESTON,  FRANCIS  C.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  24.  Married. 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 

WESTON,  JOHNH.  Private.  Seaman.  Age  18.  Single.  Read 
ing.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  6,  1862.  Absent 
sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Dead. 


332  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

WESTON,  NELSON  S.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  33.  Mar 
ried.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 

WHITEHOUSE,  CHARLES  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22. 
Single.  North  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  in  North  Reading,  Mass.,  Aug.  15,  1863. 

WHITMAN,  ALBERT  H.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  21.  Single. 
Reading.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  at  Boston,  Mass.,  Nov.  29,  1862,  for  disability. 
Dead. 

WILLIAMS,  JOSEPH  F.  Private.  Cabinetmaker.  Age  28. 
Married.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

WRIGHT,  HIRAM  F.  Private.  Lawyer.  Age  38.  Married. 
Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Absent  sick 
when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

OCCUPATIONS 

Shoemakers 43  Painter       1 

Cabinetmakers 13  Blacksmith 1 

Farmers 8  Organ  pipe  maker 1 

Yeomen 8  Hospital  nurse 1 

Carpenters 6  Mason 1 

Butchers 5  Machinist 1 

Clerks 4  Hostler 1 

Seamen 3  Lawyer 1 

Artists 2  Stitcher      1 

Married,  56;  single,  45.     Average  age,  28  years  and  6  months. 


COMPANY   E 

SAMUEL  F.  LITTLEFIELD.  Capt.  Tin  plate  worker.  Age  36. 
Born  in  Wells,  Me.,  Jan.  5,  1826.  Married.  South  Reading. 
Com.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Capt.  of  Co.  E  8th  Regt. 
Died  March  24,  1905. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  333 

HORACE  M.  WARREN.  1st  Lt.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  South 
Reading.  Com.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Previous  service  Private  in  Co.  B  5th  Regt.,  Sergeant  Co.  E 
20th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Adjutant  of  the  59th  Regt. 
Lieutenant  Warren  was  born  in  Maine  in  1841,  descended  from 
Moses  Warren  of  Waltham,  who  fought  at  Bunker  Hill.  Natu 
rally  brave  and  impetuous,  he  enlisted  at  the  commencement  of 
hostilities  in  the  Richardson  Light  Guard,  South  Reading, 
served  with  that  company  three  months  in  the  5th  Regiment 
and  was  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  Re-enlisting  in  the 
20th  Regt.,  he  engaged  in  the  battle  of  Ball's  Bluff.  At  this 
battle,  which  occurred  on  the  21st  day  of  October,  1861,  Ser 
geant  Warren  was  in  command  of  his  company  on  account  of 
the  loss  of  superior  officers  and  was  so  severely  wounded  it 
was  thought  that  he  could  not  live,  the  surgeon  saying  at  the 
time,  "  Put  him  one  side,  boys,  he  won't  live  twenty  minutes." 
"  The  boys  did  not  give  up  hope,  however,  but  determined  to 
save  him  if  possible.  Protecting  him  as  best  they  could  from 
the  enemy,  they  placed  him  in  a  boat,  and  managed  to  get  him 
into  an  old  barn  on  the  opposite  shore,  from  whence,  after  twenty- 
four  hours  in  a  pouring  rain  and  without  medical  attendance, 
he  was  carried  to  the  hospital  at  Pools ville.  Upon  the  organi 
zation  of  the  59th  Regt.,  he  was  requested  by  Colonel  Gould  to 
accept  the  office  of  Adjutant,  with  which  request  he  complied. 
The  regiment  had  an  eventful  history,  participating  in  some  of 
the  severest  fighting  of  the  war,  having  been  engaged  at  Spott- 
sylvania,  Cold  Harbor,  Petersburg  and  Weldon  Railroad.  Adju 
tant  Warren  was  again  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor,  but  not  dis 
abled  as  he  thought  from  duty.  At  the  battle  of  Weldon  Rail 
road,  Adjutant  Warren  acted  as  assistant  adjutant  general. 
At  Reams  Station  he  was  wounded  and  died  on  the  27th  of 
August,  1864,  from  the  effects  of  the  wounds.  Before  his 
death,  however,  in  recognition  of  his  brave  and  gallant  service, 
a  major's  commission  had  been  conferred  upon  him."  Lieuten 
ant  Warren  possessed  the  traits  out  of  which  heroes  are 
moulded. 

JAMES  D.  DRAPER.  2d  Lt.  Razor-strap  maker.  Age  31.  Mar 
ried.  South  Reading.  Com.  April  30,  1861.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  ser 
vice  Co.  B  5th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  1st  Battery 
Heavy  Artillery. 

JASON  H.  KNIGHT.  1st  Sergt.  Cordwainer.  Age  24.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 


334  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B 
5th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Died  in  Wake- 
field,  Mass. 

JAMES  M.  SWEETSER.  Sergt.  Cordwainer.  Age  34.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B 
5th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  and  Co.  D 
59th  Regt.  Died  in  Florida. 

GEORGE  H.  GREEN.  Sergt.  Moulder.  Age  28.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  and  buried  at  sea  Jan.  10,  1863. 

JAMES  A.  BURDETT.  Sergt.  Cordwainer.  Age  25.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B 
5th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Died  in 
Wakefield. 

THOMAS  SWEETSER.  Sergt.  Cordwainer.  Age  27.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Discharged  Jan.  5,  1863,  for  disability.  Previous  ser 
vice  Co.  B  5th  Regt. 

GEORGE  K.  GILMAN.  Sergt.  Railroadman.  Age  30.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

CHARLES  F.  HARTSHORN.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  27.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 
Town  clerk. 

JAMES  M.  MORRILL.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  25.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B 
5th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Resides  in 
Boston. 

JOSEPH  S.  EUSTIS.  Corpl.  Razor-strap  maker.  Age  29.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B 
5th  Regt. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  335 

JOHN  Q.  A.  PARKER.  Corpl.  Butcher.  Age  32.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

WILLIAM  N.TYLER.  Corpl.  Barber.  Age  27.  Married.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B  5th  Regt. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Clerk  1st  District  Court 
of  Eastern  Middlesex.  Resides  in  Maiden. 

RUFUS  F.  DRAPER.  Corpl.  Cordwainer.  Age  23.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co. 
E  8th  Regt.  Residence,  Wakefield. 

GEORGE  CARTER.  Corpl.  Cordwainer.  Age  22.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  E 
15th  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Residence, 
Reading,  Mass. 

MYRON  H.  WHITTREDGE.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  20. 
Single.  Lynnfield.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Residence,  Lynn. 

CHARLES  S.  EMERSON.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  33.  Single.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wakefield,  Mass. 

ABORN,  HENRY.  Private.  Engineer.  Age  30.  Single.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  date  unknown. 

ANDERSON,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  on 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BARBER,  THOMAS.  Private.  Gas  maker.  Age  31.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S. 
Signal  Corps.  Dead. 

BARRON,  ELLIOTT  F.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  34.  Married. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


336  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

BENT,  JOHN  S.  Private.  Age  18.  Single.  Boston.  Enl.  Oct. 
31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Dead. 

BROWN,  BENJAMIN  T.  Private.  Painter.  Age  25.  Single. 
Lynnfield.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  At  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea. 

BROWN,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Hingham.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BROWN,  JOHN  C.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  27.  Married.  Saugus. 
Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lovell,  Me. 

BROWN,  JONAS  C.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  38.  Married. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  18,  1863. 

BRUCE,  JASPER  F.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Billerica. 

BUTTERFIELD,  FRANCIS  M.  Private.  Milkman.  Age  35. 
Married.  Saugus.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lynn. 

CARTWRIGHT,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Tin  plate  worker.  Age  44. 
Married.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wake- 
field. 

CHURCHILL,  GERMAN  S.  Private.  Druggist.  Age  29.  Mar 
ried.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

COON,  WILLIAM  L.  Private.  Factory  hand.  Age  19.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E 
8th  Regt.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

COOPER,  REUBEN  L.  Private.  Iceman.  Age  32.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wakefield,  1905. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  337 

COX,  GEORGE.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  34.  Married.  Lynn- 
field.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

COX,  JAMES  B.  Private.  Painter.  Age  18.  Single.  Melrose. 
Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  9th  Battery. 

DANFORTH,  ALFRED  W.  Private.  Druggist.  Age  20.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Reading,  Mass. 

DAVIS,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Joiner.  Age  34.  Married.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  K 
4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Died  in  Wakefield,  April  3,  1892. 

DEADMAN,  WILLIAM  D.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  19.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E 
8th  Regt.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

DEGEN,  CHARLES  F.  Private.  Age  25.  Married.  Watertown. 
Enl.  Oct.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  24,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

DIX,  JOSEPH  O.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  44.  Single.  Melrose. 
Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  B  5th  Regt.  Died 
in  Wakefield. 

DODGE,  IGNATIUS  S.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  26.  Single. 
Topsfield.  Enl.  Oct.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  18,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Rowley. 

DONOGHUE,  JOHN  J.  Private.  Nailer.  Age  26.  Single. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  in  New  York,  Nov.  22,  1862. 

EATON,  CHESTER  W.  Private.  Lawyer.  Age  23.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 
Editor  and  publisher  of  the  Wakefield  Citizen  and  Banner. 


338  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

EATON,  JOHN  S.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  34.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Oxford,  Neb. 

EMERSON,  JUSTUS  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Lynnfield.  Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  G 
1st  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Lynnfield. 

ESTES,  O'NEAL  J.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  26.  Married.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  12,  1863. 

EUSTIS,  WILLIAM  C.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  25.  Single. 
Cambridge.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Hyde  Park. 

FARRELL,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  35.  Married. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Maiden. 

FISK,  JOSEPH  A.  Private.  Painter.  Age  31.  Married.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  March  9,  1863,  for  disability.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

FISK,  WILLIAM  L.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Saugus.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Cliftondale,  Mass. 

FULLER,  GEORGE  P.  Private.  Merchant.  Age  33.  Married. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Melrose. 

HAMILTON,  ROBERT.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  22.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wakefield. 

HARRINGTON,  CHARLES  T.  Private.  Moulder.  Age  25. 
Married.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  ser 
vice  Co.  B  5th  Regt.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

HAWKES,  JOHN.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  38.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K 
4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  339 

KINGMAN,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  30.  Mar 
ried.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Died  in  Wakefield. 

KNIGHTS,  Henry  C.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  32.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

LYMAN,  HENRY  H.  Private.  Operator.  Age  23.  Married. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

MCALLISTER,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  26.  Mar 
ried.  Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston. 

MILLER,  CHARLES  C.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  21.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MOORE,  JOHN  L.  Private.  Factory  hand.  Age  19.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  16,  1863. 

MORTON,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  27.  Single. 
Wilmington.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Died  in  Wakefield. 

MOSES,  GEORGE.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  21.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S. 
Signal  Corps.  Dead. 

MOSES,  JOHNF.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  27.  Single.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  4,  1863. 

MURKLAND,  ROBERT  L.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  30. 
Married.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

NEWHALL,  DAVID.  Private.  Factory  hand.  Age  19.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co  E 
8th  Regt.  Dead. 


340  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

NEWMAN,  J.  FRANK.  Private.  Dentist.  Age  25.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 

1862.  Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 

1863.  Dead. 

PLACE,  FRANKLIN  C.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  34.  Married. 
Charlestown.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Charlestown. 

FILLINGS,  JONATHAN.  Private.  Factory  hand.  Age  24. 
Single.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  1,  1863. 

POPE,  JACOB  H.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  25.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wakefield. 

PRENTICE,  CHARLES.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  29.  Mar 
ried.  Melrose.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Melrose. 

RANDALL,  HOWARD.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  26.  Married. 
Raynham.  Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

RESTARICK,  WALTER.  Private.  Age  18.  South  Reading. 
Enl.  Nov.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  15,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  and  Co. 
C  1st  Battalion  of  Cavalry. 

RICHARDSON,  IRVING.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Lynnfield.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  North  Reading,  Mass. 

RICHARDSON,  OSBORNE,  JR.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  19. 
Single.  Lynnfield.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  29th 
Unattached  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Lynnfield,  Mass. 

SHELTON,  THOMAS.  Private.  Pump  maker.  Age  32.  Single. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  341 

SIMONDS,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  33.  Single. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K  59th 
Regt.  Dead. 

SKINNER,  WILLIAM  G.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  18.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wakefield, 

Mass. 

SNELL,  FRANKLIN  L.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E 
8th  Regt. 

SNELL,  LOUIS  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  22.  Single.  South 
Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability  Feb.  26,  1863. 

STAFFORD,  WILLIAM  C.  Private.  Tailor.  Age  27.  Single. 
Saugus.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

STIMPSON,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  23.  Single. 
Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  in 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  19,  1863. 

SWEETSER,  ELBRIDGE  L.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  20.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Everett,  Mass. 

THOMPSON,  GEORGE  A.  Private.  Factory  hand.  Age  18. 
Single.  South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent 
service  Co.  E  8th  Regt.  Resides  in  Melrose. 

TIBBETTS,  GEORGE  E.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  22.  Single. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E 
8th  Regt. 

TREFETHEN,  BENJAMIN  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single. 
Saugus.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  8th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Lynn. 


342 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


TYLER,  GEORGE  L.  Private.  Barber.  Age  24.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K 
4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

UNRAH,  GEORGE  R.  Private.  Druggist.  Age  18.  Single. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

UPTON,  AUGUSTINE.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Danvers.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  U.S. 
Engineers.  Died  in  Danvers,  Mass. 

WALTON,  OLIVER,  2D.  Private.  Fish  dealer.  Age  24.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enlisted  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Wakefield. 

WELLMAN,  HENRY  B.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  22.  Single. 
Lynnfield.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  31,  1863. 

W1NSHIP,  SAMUEL.  Private.  Wheelwright.  Age  37.  Married. 
South  Reading.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wakefield. 


Farmers  . 
Clerks  .  . 
Factory  ha 
Carpenters 
Druggists 
Painters  . 
No  occupa 
Tin  plate  \ 
Razor-stra 
Moulders  . 
Butchers  . 
Barbers  . 
Teamsters 
Railroad  man 


Married,  40;  single, 
3  months. 


OCCUR 

25 
12 
7 
ds     5 
4 

YTIONS 

Engineer    1 
Gas  maker     .                                1 

Milkman                                         1 

Iceman   1 
Joiner                                               1 

3 

Nailer.    .    .                                    1 

3 
on     3 
>rkers   2 
makers    ....     2 
2 
2 

2 
2 

Lawyer                                           1 

Merchant    1 
Operator     1 
Laborer  
Dentist 

Pump  maker     
Tailor      
Fish  dealer 

in  1 

Wheelwright      

1 

49;  unknown,  2.     Average  age  26  years  and 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  343 

COMPANY  F 

SAMUEL  W.  DUNCAN.  Capt.  Student.  Age  23.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Com.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Captain  Duncan  "was  the  son  of 
Hon.  James  H.  Duncan,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  Haverhill,  and 
a  representative  to  Congress,  and  was  born  in  that  city  Dec. 
19,  1838.  In  1856  he  entered  Brown  University,  having  as  class 
mates,  among  other  men,  Rev.  A.  J.  Gordon,  D.D.,  for  many 
years  pastor  of  the  Clarendon  Street  Baptist  Church,  Boston; 
Rev.  Wayland  Hoyt,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  Epiphany  Baptist 
Church,  Philadelphia,  and  Henry  K.  Porter,  Esq.,  of  Pittsburg, 
Penn.  Graduating  from  Brown  with  honor  in  1860,  he  spent 
one  year  in  travel,  and  in  1861  he  entered  Newton  Theological 
Institution,  leaving,  however,  in  a  short  time  to  respond  to 
the  call  of  his  country.  In  two  weeks  he  raised  Company  F 
in  Haverhill,  and  was  commissioned  Captain.  After  being 
mustered  out  of  service  he  entered  Rochester  Theological 
Seminary,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  the  class  of 
1866.  He  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Erie  Street,  now  Euclid 
Avenue  Baptist  Church  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  April,  1867.  In 
1875  he  became  pastor  of  the  Ninth  Street  Church  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  and  in  1883  he  removed  to  Rochester,  N.Y.,  where  he 
became  pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church.  In  the  year 
1885  he  was  called  to  the  presidency  of  Vassar  College,  but 
decided  to  continue  in  the  pastorate.  Retiring  in  1888  from 
his  work  in  Rochester,  he  spent  several  years  in  Haverhill. 
In  1892  he  was  chosen  Foreign  Secretary  of  the  American 
Baptist  Missionary  Union,  and  devoted  himself  with  unre 
mitting  fidelity  to  that  important  work  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  The  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  was  con 
ferred  upon  him  by  the  University  of  Chicago  in  1878,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Fellows 
of  Brown  University,  and  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Newton 
Theological  Institution,  Rochester  Theological  Seminary  and 
Colby  Academy.  .  .  .  Dr.  Duncan  left  New  York  accompa 
nied  by  his  wife  and  daughter  on  Aug.  27,  1898,  for  a  tour  of 
inspection  of  the  Baptist  mission  stations  of  the  world.  He 
was  in  ill  health  when  he  started,  but  hoped  that  the  ocean 
voyage  would  give  him  strength  for  the  rest  of  the  journey, 
and  the  labor  involved  in  the  settlement  of  the  many  questions 
pending  in  the  Eastern  mission  field.  But  his  condition  so 
changed  for  the  worse  that  at  Port  Said  he  was  compelled  to 
turn  back.  Returning  to  London  and  Liverpool,  he  took  a 
steamer  for  Boston,  where  he  arrived  on  the  morning  of  October 


344  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

29,  much  prostrated  by  a  cold  which  he  took  while  at  sea. 
He  was  immediately  removed  to  his  home  in  Brookline,  where 
he  died  on  the  night  of  Sunday,  Oct.  30,  1898." 

WILLIAM  H.  ROBERTS.  1st  Lieut,  Student.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Com.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Dismissed  Nov.  15,  1862.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  llth 
Regt.  and  Co.  I  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

DAVID  BOYNTON.  1st  Lieut.  Clerk.  Age  36.  Married.  Haver- 
hill.  Com.  Nov.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th  Regt. 
Died  at  Lexington,  Mass.,  May  12,  1903. 

IRA  HURD.  2d  Lieut.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Com.  Nov.  12,  1862.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent 
service  Co.  I  60th  Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

JOHN  M.  POOR.  1st  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  35.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

JOSHUA  M.  STOVER.  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

WALTER  S.  GOODELL.  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  October, 
1905. 

THOMAS  PEARSON,  JR.  Sergt.  Farmer.  Age  43.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  North  Adams  in  1901. 

GEORGE  W.  MORRILL.  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

WILLIAM  W.  S.  OBERTON.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  34.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept,  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lynn,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  345 

EDWIN  L.  JOHNSON.  Corpl.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  in  Quarantine,  La.,  Feb.  27,  1863. 

CHARLES  A.  KIMBALL.  Corpl.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  25.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Deserted  in  New  York,  Dec.  5,  1862. 

ALBERT  O.GIBSON.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

PHILIP  C.  SWEET.  Corpl.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  19.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

DAVID  HECKMAN.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  43.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 
Died  in  Bradford,  Mass. 

HENRY  H.  JOHNSON.  Corpl.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill. 

JAMES  RYAN.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single.  Haverhill. 
Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Unattached 
Infantry.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

DANIEL  P.  DEROCHMONT.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  33.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  C 
26th  Regt.  Died  in  Newburyport,  Mass. 

JOHN  DOWNES.  Corpl.  Baker.  Age  26.  Married.  Haverhill. 
Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

RUFUS  M.  GRAHAM.  Musician.  Shoe  dresser.  Age  18.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Philadelphia. 

JOHN  A.  TUCK.  Musician.  Clerk.  Age  22.  Single.  Haverhill. 
Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S.  Navy.  Resides  in 
Pittsfield,  N.H. 


346  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

RYLAND  F.  BAILEY.  Wagoner.  Carpenter.  Age  29.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

ALDRICH,  AMBROSE  D.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Atkinson,  N.H. 

ATWOOD,  BRADLEY.  Private.  Shoe  dresser.  Age  38.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Boston,  Mass. 

BARRY,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Boxford,  Oct.  15,  1862. 

BUCKLIN,  JOHN  C.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  27.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Newton,  N.H. 

BURNHAM,  WALTER  J.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lowell,  Mass. 

CANNEY,  CHARLES  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CARR,  MARK.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Augusta,  Me. 

CHASE,  BENJAMIN  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Deserted  from  Camp  Banks,  N.Y., 
Nov.  27,  1862.  Returned  to  company,  March 28, 1863.  Died  in 
Philadelphia,  1900. 

CLARK,  CYRUS  H.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  35.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Pomeroy,  Iowa. 

DAVIS,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  in  New  York  Nov.  27,  1862.  Served  his  time  in  Co. 
H  30th  Regt. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  347 

DAVIS,  ELIPHALET.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  35.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

DAVIS,  GEORGE  M.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single.  Derry, 
N.H.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862.  Absent 
sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Sub 
sequent  service  Co.  E  4th  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Somerville, 

Mass. 

DAVIS,  GEORGE  S.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  18.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  in 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  29,  1863. 

EATON,  ALBERT  C.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

EATON,  EUGENE  G.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Alabama. 

EMERSON,  ALBERT.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  35.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 
Subsequent  service  4th  Heavy  Artillery. 

EMERY,  SAMUEL  C.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

FITZPATRICK,  JOHN.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  At  Togus,  Me. 

FLANDERS,  BURTON.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  28.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  June  15, 
1873. 

FLANDERS,  EDWARD  O.  Private.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  26. 
Married.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chicago, 
111. 


348  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

FOSS,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  45.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

FOSS,  WILLIAM  A.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  24.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

FOWLER,  GILBERT  S.  Private.  Painter.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

GALLAGHER,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Melrose.  Enl.  Oct.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  12,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Oct.  20,  1862. 

GEORGE,  ARTHUR  L.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

GEORGE,  TOWNSEND  P.  Private.  Age  20.  Haverhill.  Enl. 
Nov.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  4,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  C  17th  Regt.  Resides  in 
Haverhill,  Mass. 

GILMAN,  LUCAS  B.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  40.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  Aug.  2,  1863,  on  the  passage  home. 

GORDON,  EDWARD  B.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  39.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HADDOCK,  H.  CHARLES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  40. 
Married.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  Aug.  13,  1904. 

HALL,  BENJAMIN  F.  Private.  Age  30.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Nov.  1, 
1862.  Mustered  in  Nov.  4,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Haverhill. 

HANRAHAN,  JAMES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Dec.  5,  1862. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  349 

HANSON,  ACEL.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HARMON,  GEORGE  K.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Maiden,  Mass. 

HAYNES,  JACKSON.  Private.  Student.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HILL,  ANDREW  J.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HOWARD,  WILLIAM  S.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4, 

1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.     Resides  in  Peabody,  Mass. 

HOWE,  JAMES.  Private.  Druggist.  Age  28.  Single.  Haverhill. 
Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HUNKINS,  HARRY  T.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862. 
Died  in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  4,  1863. 

HUNKINS,  JOHN  N.  Private.  Age  24.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 

1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HUNKINS,  WARREN  C.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HUNT,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  39.  Married 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lynn,  Mass. 

JACOBS,  WYMAN  D.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  7,  1863. 


350  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

JENKINS,  SAMUEL  H.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  18.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

JOHNSON,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  44.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Discharged  at  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  Jan.  5,  1863,  for 
disability.  Died  at  Togus,  Me. 

JOHNSON,  CHARLES  L.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

KELLEY,  DAVID  M.  Private.  Student.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Q.M.S.,  Nov.  11,  1862.  Resides  in  Sharon,  Mass. 

KING,  PATRICK.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  25.  Married.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  D  2d  Heavy 
Artillery.  Died  in  Haverhill,  July,  1905. 

LADD,  THOMAS  E.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  20.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Laconia,  N.H. 


ALBERT.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

LEONARD,  JOHN.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  21.  Single. 
Boston.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862.  De 
serted  from  Boxford,  Mass.,  Oct.  18,  1862. 

L1TTLEFIELD,  HAZEN  S.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  23. 
Single.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill, 

Mass. 

LUCY,  ARTHUR  W.  Private.  Student.  Age  18.  Single.  Brad 
ford.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  351 

McDERMOTT,  HUGH.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  42.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Boston. 

McLAUGHLIN,  FRANK.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  C  17th  Regt.  At  present  City  Marshal 
of  Haverhill. 

McQUESTEN,  SIMEON.  Private.  Peddler.  Age  27.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

McWILLIAMS,  SAMUEL.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  A  1st 
Battery  Heavy  Artillery.  Dead. 

MORSE,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  20.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Dis 
charged  at  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  Jan.  5,  1863,  for  disability. 
Dead. 

MURPHY,  TIMOTHY.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  30.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Oct.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  20,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug..  24,  1863. 

NICHOLS,  ADDISON  D.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept,  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston,  Mass. 

NOYES,  HIRAM  N.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

ORDWAY,  HAZEN  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  32.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

OSGOOD,  JACOB.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  32.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 


352  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

PATTEN,  JOSEPH  L.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill. 

PEARL,  JOSHUA  R.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston,  Mass. 

PETT1NGILL,  ALPHEUS  I.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23. 
Married.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Merrimac, 
March,  1905. 

REED,  ELBRIDGE  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  30.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Salem,  N.H.,  1877. 

ROSS,  FRANKLIN.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Richmond,  Va. 

SARGENT,  BENJAMIN  G.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  30.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lewiston,  Me. 

SAWYER,  B.  ADDISON.  Private.  Druggist.  Age  20.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Asst.  Surgeon 
in  U.S.  Navy.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

SAWYER,  HORACE.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Rye  Beach,  N.H. 

SAWYER,  IRA  O.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  25.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

SHELDON,  OTIS  E.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  22.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Melrose  Highlands, 
Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  353 

SPENCER,  JOHN  C.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  in  Quarantine,  La.,  April  9,  1863. 

STICKNEY,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21. 
Single.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  of  wounds  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  20,  1863. 

STUART  WALTER.  Private.  Student.  Age  18.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

THOMPSON,  HORACE.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  42.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Lynn,  Mass. 

TOZIER,  EDWARD  H.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  26.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Sept.  12,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

TUCKER,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  4th  Heavy 
Artillery. 

VEAL,  GUSTAVUS  D.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Newton,  N.H. 

WALTON,  THOMAS.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  24.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  2d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Dead. 

WEST,  ARTHUR  W.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  18.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

WILSON,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  21.  Single.  Melrose. 
Enl.  Oct.  1,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  12,  1862.  Deserted  from 
Boxford,  Mass.,  Oct.  20,  1862. 

WHITMAN,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  27.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 


354  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

WHITMAN,  JOSIAH  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  33.  Married. 
Mansfield.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  23,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  C  47th 
Regt.  Resides  at  Raynham. 

OCCUPATIONS 

Shoemakers 34      No  business 3 

Shoe  cutters 15      Shoe  dressers 2 

Laborers 11      Teamsters 2 

Clerks 9      Druggists 2 

Students 6      Baker 1 

Carpenters 6      Painter 1 

Farmers 5      Peddler 1 

Shoe  stitchers 3      Machinist 1 

Butchers 3      Blacksmith 1 

Married,  47;  single,  55;  unknown,  4.     Average  age,  26  years  and 
4  months. 

COMPANY  G 

GEORGE  W.  EDWARDS.  Capt.  Carpenter.  Age  41.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Com.  July  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  as  Sergeant  in 
Co.  D  5th  Regt.  Died  at  Biddeford,  Me.,  in  1905. 

GEORGE  W.WALLACE.  1st  Lt.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Com.  Sept,  3,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  D  5th 
Regt.  Dead. 

ANDREW  F.  STOWE.  2d  Lt.  Upholsterer.  Age  24.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Promoted  from  Sergeant  and 
com.  2d  Lt.  Oct.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Re 
signed  June  11,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  D  5th  Regt.  Died 
at  Soldiers'  Home,  Washington,  D.C. 

JOSHUA  HATCH,  JR.  Sergt.  Carpenter.  Age  28.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  D  5th  Regt. 
Dead. 

ROYAL  D.GOULD.  Sergt.  Teamster.  Age 24.  Married.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  D  5th  Regt. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  B  1st  Battalion  Cavalry.  Resides  in 
Cambridge,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  355 

CHARLES   K.  HEATH.     Sergt.     Shoemaker.     Age  28.  Married. 

Bradford.     Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.     Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 

Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.     Died  in  Portland,  Me.  Burial  at 
Bradford,  Mass. 

SAMUEL  B.  BENSON.  Corpl.  Roofer.  Age  19.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  B  59th  Regt. 
Resides  in  Pasadena,  Cal. 

DAVID  R.  B.  COFFIN.  Corpl.  Teamster.  Age  29.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  on  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

GEORGE  O.  LEE.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  19.  Single.  Haverhill. 
Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Soldiers'  Home  in  Illinois. 

CHARLES  H.  HILL.  Sergt.  Yeoman.  Age  29.  Married.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

JOSEPH  F.  HOLT.  Sergt.  Machinist.  Age  40.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Killed  in  an  accident  at  North 
Andover. 

DANIEL  G.  PAYSON.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

JOHN  L.  WEBSTER.  Corpl.  Teamster.  Age  25.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

ALVIN  W.  WHITTIER.  Corpl.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  37.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Biddeford,  Me.,  April 
28,  1872. 

GEORGE  W.  WALLACE.  Corpl.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  21.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 


356  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

EDWARD  S.  TUBBS.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Transferred  to  the  6th  111.  Cavalry,  July  17,  1863. 

HENRY  G.  HAMMOND.  Musician.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  34. 
Single.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

WILLIAM  F.  JOHNSON.  Musician.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  22. 
Single.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston, 

Mass. 

ABBOTT,  PARKER  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

ALDRICH,  JOHN  W.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single.  Enl. 
Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 

ANDERSON,  ALFRED  W.  Private.  Artist.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

BAILEY,  STEPHEN  W.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Bradford,  Mass. 

BARLOW,  NOAH  E.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  25.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Left  in  hospital  sick  Aug.  14,  1863.  Dead. 

BOYNTON,  ISAAC  A.  Private.  Upholsterer.  Age  38.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  llth  U.S. 
Infantry.  Dead. 

BURLEIGH,  MOSES  C.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CAMPBELL,  JOHN.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  357 

CARR,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CHASE,  EUSTIS.  Private.  Grocer.  Age  38.  Married.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

COFFIN,  CYRUS  V.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  28.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Alton,  N.H. 

CLOUGH,  WARD.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  37.  Married. 
Dracut.  Enl.  Sept.  14,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Lowell,  Mass. 

CLOUGH,  WILLIAM  R.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Alton,  N.H. 

COLBY,  JOHN  E.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  16.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1904. 

COOK,  JUSTIN  T.  Private.  Bookkeeper.  Age  38.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

COYNE,  JOHN.  Private.  Wool  carder.  Age  18.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

DALEY,  BARTLETT  F.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  F  2d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Soldiers'  Home,  Togus,  Me. 

DA  VIS,  ALFRED  H.  Private.  Shoe  manufacturer.  Age  38.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill, 

Mass.    • 

EATON,  DANIEL  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn,  Mass. 


358  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

EATON,  JAMES  J.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  43.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Bradford,  Mass. 

ELLIS,  SEBASTIAN.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  Dec.  14,  1862.  Minority  (gave  wrong  age). 

EMERSON,  GEORGE  R.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

FARNHAM,  HIRAM  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S.  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  February,  1907. 

FARRINGTON,  MOSES  C.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  37. 
Widower.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill, 
Mass.,  in  1905. 

FLANDERS,  JESSE.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  44.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  F  6th 
N.H.  Regt.  Dead. 

FRENCH,  MOSES  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Townsend  Harbor, 

Mass. 

FULLER,  WILLIAM  B.  Private.  Salesman.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Promoted  Oct.  16,  1862.  Re 
sides  in  New  York  City. 

GALE,  HENRY.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  22.  Married.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

GOODRICH,  WALTER.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19.  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  359 

GRAHAM,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Transferred  to  the  U.S.  Army  Dec.  27,  1862.  Dead. 

GRAHAM,  SYLVANUS.  Private.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  24.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HARWOOD,  ANDREW  J.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 

HAVENS,  SILAS  F.  Private.  Salesman.  Age  25.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  New  York  City. 

HAZELTINE,  WILLIAM  L.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  30.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

HOWE,  EDWIN  M.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

HOYT,  BENJAMIN  E.,  JR.  Private.  Grocer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Sub 
sequent  service  17th  Unattached  Infantry.  Resides  in  Haver 
hill,  Mass. 

HOYT,  EZRA.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

HOYT,  SAMUEL  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  32.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  59th 
Regt.  Died  at  City  Point. 

HUBBARD,  OLIVER  S.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill,  Mass. 


360  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

JAQUES,  HENRY.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  19.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  26,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Wisconsin,  Dec.  6,  1868. 
Buried  in  Haverhill. 

JENNESS,  SUMNER  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Nov.  18,  1862. 

JOHNSON,  FRANK  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  Dec.  6,  1862,  for  disability.  Subsequent  service 
Co.  D  1st  Cavalry. 

LIVINGSTON,  EDWARD  H.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  25.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

MACE,  DANIEL  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  G  59th  Regt.  Resides  in  Fremont, 
N.H. 

MACKAY,  ANDREW  J.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  9,  1863. 

MARSH,  JOSEPH  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

McKENNA,  EDWARD.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

MERRILL,  HOWARD  M.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Chicago,  111.,  Oct.  8, 
1868. 

MORRISSON,  AUGUSTUS  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18. 
Single.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co. 
M  4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  361 

MOULTON,  GEORGE  L.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  24.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

MULHERN,  HUGH.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill,  Feb.  25,  1875. 

MURRAY,  HUGH.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  A  4th 
Cavalry.  Died  in  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea,  July  6,  1866. 

NASON,  EDWARD  A.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  22.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  59th 
Regt.  Died  June  12,  1875. 

NORWOOD,  GEORGE.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  41.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Boxford,  Oct.  10,  1862. 

O'MEILLEY,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Deserted  at  New  York,  Nov.  20,  1862. 

O'SHAUGHNESSEY,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  41.  Mar 
ried.  Dracut.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 

1862.  Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 

1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K  2d  Heavy  Artillery.     Died  in 
Lowell. 

PARKER,  ISRAEL.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  44.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  sea,  Feb.  4,  1863. 

PETTINGILL,  JAMES  W.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  32.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

PINKHAM,  WARREN  F.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Dover,  N.H. 


362  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

POOR,  MOSES.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  43.  Married.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Bradford,  Mass. 

PRATT,  ABEL  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

RAND,  LEONARD.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  43.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Com.  Sergt.,  Sept.  20,  1862.  Died  in  Haverhill. 

RICHARDSON,  RUSSELL  O.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21. 
Single.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

RICKER,  FREDERICK  L.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

ROBERTS,  OLIVER  A.  Private.  Shoe  stitcher.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Promoted  to  Sergt.-Major,  Sept.  20,  1862.  Resides  in  Boston. 

SARGENT,  NUMA.  Private.  Shoe  manufacturer.  Age  33.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  24,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill, 
Dec.  14,  1879. 

SCATES,  ISAAC  S.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  43.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Oct.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Died  in  Richmond,  Va. 

SPENCER,  DENNIS.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

STEVENS,  JAMES  I.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

TAPPEN,  EDMUND  S.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  363 

TAYLOR,  JOHN  H.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

THOMPSON,  HAZEN  V.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

THOMPSON,  STEPHEN    M.      Private.      Shoemaker.  Age  25. 

Single.     Haverhill.     Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.     Mustered  in  Sept. 

19,  1862.     Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  6,   1862.  Died  in 

U.S.  Navy. 

TUCKER,  FRANK  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Promoted  to  Corpl.  Jan.  5,  1863. 
Resides  at  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

WALKER,  JOHN  H.  Private.  Wheelwright.  Age  23.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  York,  Me.,  July,  1905. 

WALKER,  WILSON  M.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  York,  Me.,  April  3,  1904. 

WALLACE,  WILLIAM  C.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  39.  Wid 
ower.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  16,  1863. 

WEBB,  DANIEL.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single.  Haver 
hill.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  60th  Regt. 
Died  in  Haverhill. 

WEBSTER,  JOHN  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 

WEBSTER,  WILLIAM  W.  Private.  Shoe  dresser.  Age  28.  Mar 
ried.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  March  8,  1863. 

WHITTIER,  WILLIAM  T.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  18.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  59th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 


364  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

WILLIAMS,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Yeoman.  Age  24.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  20,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  15,  1863. 

WOODCOCK,  FARNHAM  P.  Private.  Harness  maker.  Age  28. 
Married.  Haverhill.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Haverhill. 


OCCUPATIONS 


Shoemakers      

.  42 

Harness  maker      .    .    . 

Yeomen    

.   10 

Hostler   

Shoe  cutters     

.     8 

Shoe  dresser  . 

Clerks    

.     6 

Wheelwright      

Carpenters    

.     5 

Butcher      

Shoe  stitchers      

.     4 

Wool  carder  .... 

Teamsters     

.     4 

Bookkeeper    .    . 

Shoe  manufacturers    .    .    . 

.     2 

Mariner  ; 

Laborers  

.     2 

Artist 

Grocers     

.     2 

Farmer  

Upholsterers    

.     2 

Machinist   .... 

Salesmen  

2 

Roofer    

Married,  47;  single,  52;  widowers,  2.     Average  age,  27  years. 


COMPANY  H 

CYRUS  HOBBS.  Capt.  Expressman.  Age  43.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Com.  Sept.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Absent 
sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died 
at  Everett,  Mass.,  March  8,  1896. 

HENRY  T.  HOLMES.  1st  Lieut.  Merchant.  Age  33.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Com.  Sept.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Chelsea. 

WILLIAM  P.  DANIELS.  2d  Lieut.  Painter.  Age  35.  Married 
Chelsea.  Com.  Sept.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Chelsea,  July  10,  1889. 

ROBERT  A.  SAUNDERS.  1st  Sergt.  Carpenter.  Age  30.  Mar 
ried.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  H 
1st  Regt.  Subsequent  service  Field  and  Staff  3d  Cavalry. 
Died  in  Chelsea. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  365 

WILLARD  F.  CARLTON.  Sergt.  Machinist.  Age  25.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Woburn,  Jan.  14,  1899. 

JOHN  W.  HURLEY.  Sergt.  Locksmith.  Age  27.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Absent  sick 
when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Dead. 

JAMES  H.  PROCTOR.  Sergt.  Ship  joiner.  Age  31.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

JAMES  S.  GRANT.  Sergt.  Mason.  Age  24.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Discharged 
for  disability,  Feb.  25,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  F  26th 
Regt.  Resides  in  Waterville,  Me. 

JOSEPH  H.  GRANT.  Sergt.  Painter.  Age  31.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Watertown,  Mass. 

GEORGE  F.  LORD.  Sergt.  Clerk.  Age  36.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Died  in 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  17,  1863. 

ALMON  SANBORN.  Corpl.  Teamster.  Age  23.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston. 

JAMES  L.  FORSAITH.  Corpl.  Mason.  Age  25.  Married.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

EDWIN  F.  A.  BRACKETT.  Corpl.  Baker.  Age  24.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Providence,  R.I. 

JOHN  A.  DUNNING.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  26.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Revere,  May  16,  1894. 

CHARLES  H.LUCAS.  Corpl.  Painter.  Age  43.  Married.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Absent 
sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Re 
sides  in  Trenton,  N.J. 


366  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

SAMUEL  R.  HALL.  Corpl.  Clerk.  Age  22.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29^  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 

WILLIAM  S.  HENRY.  Corpl.  Druggist.  Age  24.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea. 

WILLIAM  E.  PEARSON.  Corpl.  Provision  dealer.  Age  19. 
Single.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

AVERILL,  CHARLES  S.  Private.  Varnisher.  Age  43.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

AYLWARD,  JOHN.  Private.  Wharfinger.  Age  35.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BAILEY,  JOHN  D.  Private.  Baker.  Age  35.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BICKERS,  JOSEPH  P.  Private.  Joiner.  Age  25.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BICKFORD,  GEORGE  F.  Private.  Tailor.  Age  22.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  25,  1863. 

BICKFORD,  HENRY  P.  Private.  Joiner.  Age  26.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

BOHAN,  DANIEL.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  19.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Oct.  31,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  31,  1862.  Deserted  at 
New  York,  N.Y.,  Nov.  30,  1862. 

BRIGGS,  EDWARD  P.  Private.  Joiner.  Age  22.  Single.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  367 

BROWN,  GEORGE  T.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  21.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  May  11,  1863,  to  re-enlist  in  the  7th  Illinois  Cavalry. 

BURKETT,  HENRY  H.  Private.  Auctioneer.  Age  38.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BURNHAM,  EDWARD  W.  Private.  Oil  manufacturer.  Age  23. 
Married.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Chelsea. 

BUTLER,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Provision  dealer.  Age  18. 
Single.  Maiden.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BUTLER,  ORVILLE  W.  Private.  Provision  dealer.  Age  25. 
Single.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BUTTERS,  SILAS.  Private.  Tanner.  Age  37.  Married.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CALEF,  HORATIO  S.  Private.  Planer.  Age  19.  Single.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Oct.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  15,  1862.  Deserted 
at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Oct.  25,  1862. 

CALEF,  ISAAC  W.  Private.  Planer.  Age  39.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Absent  sick 
when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CARTER,  HORACE.  Private.  Painter.  Age  40.  Married.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept,  29,  1862.  Died 
at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  July  31,  1863. 

CLARK,  LEWIS.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  37.  Married.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea. 

COBB,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  21.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


368  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

COLE,  SOLOMON  A.  Private.  Fish  dealer.  Age  27.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea. 

COLLIER,  GEORGE  G.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  30.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  out  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability  March  13,  1863. 

CROSS,  HENRY.  Private.  Oil  manufacturer.  Age  27.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Jersey  City. 

DEAN,  CHARLES.  Private.  Morocco  dresser.  Age  45.  Married. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

DEMPSEY,  PATRICK.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

DICKSON,  JOHN  P.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  18.  Single. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability  March  17,  1863. 

DICKSON,  THOMAS.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  19.  Single. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Died  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Jan.  2,  1863. 

DIXON,  HORATIO.  Private.  Mason.  Age  19.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Everett. 

DURGIN,  AUGUSTUS.  Private.  Painter.  Age  32.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability  March  9,  1863. 

EDDY,  GEORGE  B.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  23.  Single.  Haver- 
hill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  New  York  City. 

EDGECOMB,  JOSEPH  W.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  19.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability  Feb.  4,  1863. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  369 

ELWELL,  SAMUEL  B.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  42.  Married. 
Boston.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

GIFFORD,  ALBERT  D.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  28.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Previous  service  Co.  C  5th  Regt. 

GILES,  JOHN  H.  Private.  Ship  carpenter.  Age  38.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Chelsea. 

GILLEN,  JOHN.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  22.  Single.  Lawrence. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Deserted  at 
Boxford,  Mass.,  Oct.  10,  1862. 

GREEN,  HENRY.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Chelsea. 

GRIFFEN,  JACOB  E.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  33.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

GROVER,  THOMAS.  Private.  Butcher.  Age  33.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  4th  Un 
attached  Infantry.  Died  in  Chelsea. 

GUELPA,  JOHN  B.  Private.  Gas  fitter.  Age  18.  Single.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Sea  View,  Mass. 

HAMMOND,  JAMES  R.  Private.  Painter.  Age  39.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

HATCH,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Wheelwright.  Age  23.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Sept.  2,  1863. 

HAWES,  AUGUSTUS  W.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  29.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 


370  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

HAWKES,  HARRISON.  Private.  Needle  maker.  Age  29.  Mar 
ried.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea. 

HINCKLEY,  CHARLES  E.  Private.  Moulder.  Age  37.  Mar 
ried.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29 , 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

HIGHT,  HENRY  W.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  26.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability,  March  13,  1863. 

HODGKINS,  FRANCIS  P.  Private.  Baker.  Age  37.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Deserted  at  New  York,  Dec.  10,  1862. 

HOLBROOK,  JOHN  W.  Private.  Carriage  trimmer.  Age  21. 
Single.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  at  Natick,  Mass. 

HOLDEN,  HORACE  G.  Private.  Painter.  Age  27.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  I  1st 
Cavalry.  Dead. 

HOLLAND,  ADELBERT.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

HOLMES,  JOHN  W.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  31.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  D  1st  Battalion 
Heavy  Artillery.  Dead. 

HOOPER,  JAMES  L.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  45.  Married. 
Roxbury.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  K  llth  Regt.  Dead. 

HUNNEWELL,  RICHARD.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  45. 
Married.  Roxbury.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
29,  1862.  Died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  19,  1863. 

JENNINGS,  PHILIP  M.  Private.  Brass  moulder.  Age  21. 
Single.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  371 

JONES,  HENRY.  Private.  Ship  joiner.  Age  38.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  10th  Battery. 
Resides  in  Dorchester. 

JONES,  THOMAS.  Private.  Mariner.  Age  36.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

KENNEFIK,  JOHN.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  24.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Deserted 
at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Nov.  18,  1862. 

MCLAUGHLIN,  JAMES  R.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  20.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MURPHY,  JOHN.  Private.  Brickmaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

NICHOLS,  JOSEPH  A.  Private.  Miller.  Age  31.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Newburyport,  Feb.  25,  1889. 

NILAND,  PATRICK  J.  Private.  Tobacconist.  Age  19.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

NYMAN,  EDGAR  A.  Private.  Painter.  Age  24.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability,  Jan.  13,  1863. 

PATTEN,  THADDEUS.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  26.  Haverhill. 
Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 

PEARSON,  REUBEN.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  39.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

PIKE,  JOSEPH  A.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  18.  Single.  Somer- 
ville.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  L  1st  Cavalry. 
Resides  in  Cambridge. 


372  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

PROCTOR,  FREDERICK.  Private.  Tailor.  Age  25.  Single. 
Haverhill.  Enl.  Sept.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

PROCTOR,  GEORGE.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  20.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

QUIGLEY,  EDWARD.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  28.  Married. 
Lawrence.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Deserted  at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Oct.  10,  1862. 

QUINN,  CHARLES.  Private.  Moulder.  Age  39.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chelsea. 

RAYMOND,  ALFRED.  Private.  Hairdresser.  Age  34.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

REED,  LUTHER  A.  Private.  Painter.  Age  43.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Discharged  for  disability  March  20,  1863. 

RIPLEY,  ROBERT.  Private.  Coppersmith.  Age  31.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

ROBERTS,  MYRON  C.  Private.  Teamster.  Age  34.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

ROOKE,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  22.  Single. 
Maiden.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

SALE,  JOHN.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  41.  Married.  Chelsea.  Enl. 
Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

SAMPSON,  EDEN.  Private.  Calker.  Age  43.  Married.  Chel 
sea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Dead. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  373 

SAWTELLE,  ZACHARTAH.  Private.  Joiner.  Age  32.  Widower. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

SHIPMAN,  WILLIAM  A.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  27.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

SMITH,  ELIJAH  R.  Private.  Joiner.  Age  33.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

SNOW,  WILLIAM  F.  Private.  Student.  Age  18.  Single.  Ran 
dolph.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Boston. 

STONE,  SAMUEL  P.  Private.  Painter.  Age  20.  Single. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  North  Abington. 

TUTTLE,  JOHN  S.  Private.  Mason.  Age  38.  Married.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Soldiers'  Home,  Chelsea,  April  29, 
1897. 

VOSE,  ORRIN  B.  Private.  Driver.  Age  22.  Single.  Chelsea. 
Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

WHEELER,  JAMES  E.  Private.  Peddler.  Age  43.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

WHITMARSH,  JONATHAN.  Private.  Moulder.  Age  37.  Mar 
ried.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  29, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

WOODWARD,  FREDERICK  H.  Private.  Bolter.  Age  34. 
Married.  Chelsea.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
29,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Haverhill, 
Mass. 

YOUNG,  ROBERT  M.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  26.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Oct.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  13,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 


374 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


OCCUPATIONS 

Carpenters   

.    .   10 

Wharfinger     

1 

Painters    

10 

Blacksmith    

.   1 

Clerks    

.    .     8 

Auctioneer     

.    .   1 

Laborers  

.    .     6 

Tanner   

Joiners      

.    .     5 

Fish  dealer     

Mariners  

5 

Morocco  dresser 

Teamsters    

5 

Shoemaker 

Masons     

.    .     4 

Butcher      

Bakers  

.    .     3 

Gas  fitter       

Provision  dealers    .    .    . 

.    .     3 

Wheelwright      

Moulders  

.    .     3 

Needle  maker 

Machinists    

.    .     2 

Carriage  trimmer      .    .    . 

Ship  joiners     

2 

Brass  moulder  

Tailors  

2 

Hostler  

Oil  manufacturers  .    .    . 

.    .     2 

Brickmaker   

. 

Farmers    

2 

Miller      

Planers     

.    .     2 

Tobacconist  

Expressman     

.    .     1 

Hairdresser    

Merchant      

1 

Coppersmith 

Student    

.    .     1 

Calker     

Locksmith    

.    .     1 

Driver    

Druggist  

.    .     1 

Peddler  

.   '. 

Varnisher     

.    .     1 

Bolter     

Married,  60;  single,  41  ; 

widower, 

1.     Average  age,  29  years 

and  4 

months. 

COMPANY  I 

NICHOLAS  POWER.  Capt.  Blacksmith.  Age  26.  Single. 
Worcester.  Com.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Bat 
talion  Rifles.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

JOHN  J.  O'GORMAN.  1st  Lt.  Tailor.  Age  23.  Married.  Worces 
ter.  Com.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Cashiered  June  9,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Battalion 
Rifles.  Subsequent  service  Co.  D  4th  Heavy  Artillery.  Died 
in  Lawrence,  1890. 

MARTIN  HAYES.  2d  Lt.  Wire-drawer.  Age  26.  Single. 
Worcester.  Com.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Bat 
talion  Rifles.  Died  in  Springfield.  Buried  in  Worcester. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  375 

PATRICK  KELLEY.  Sergt.  Currier.  Age  21.  Single.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Bat 
talion  Rifles.  Dead. 

MICHAEL  P.  KIELLY.  Sergt.  Moulder.  Age  24.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Worcester,  Feb.  4,  1881. 

JOHN  KERR.  Sergt.  Mason.  Age  32.  Married.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered 
out,  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Battalion 
Rifles.  Died  in  Worcester,  1875. 

JOHN  MAGINNIS.  Sergt.  Blacksmith.  Age  32.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Bat 
talion  Rifles. 

JOHN  HINES.  Sergt.  Wire-drawer.  Age  24.  Single.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Died  at  sea, 
Aug.  6,  1863. 

PETER  J.  McCONVILLE.  Corpl.  Machinist.  Age  22.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Bat 
talion  Rifles.  Died  in  Worcester,  1865. 

NICHOLAS  McMAHON.  Corpl.  Laborer.  Age  22.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester,  Mass. 

JAMES  O'NEILL.  Corpl.  Machinist.  Age  20.  Single.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester,  Mass. 

JAMES  J.  POWER.  Corpl.  Machinist.  Age  19.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Philadelphia,  1872. 

PHILIP  O'CONNELL.  Corpl.  Coachman.  Age  27.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 


376  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

BERNARD  TANNON.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Westboro,  Mass. 

JOHN  RUSSELL.  Corpl.  Wire-drawer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chicago. 

MICHAEL  McDONALD.  Corpl.  Wire-drawer.  Age  20.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Died  in  Worcester,  Aug.  19,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d 
Battalion  Rifles. 

BOYLE,  JAMES.  Private.  Moulder.  Age  22.  Single.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Oct.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  14,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 

BRADLEY,  JOHN.  Private.  Tailor.  Age  38.  Single.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Oct.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  14,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Worcester,  1870. 

BRAZIL,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  23.  Single.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

BURNS,  JAMES.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married.  West 
boro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Battalion 
Rifles.  Resides  in  Westboro. 

CAHILL,  JAMES.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  38.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Died  in  Worcester,  November,  1895. 

CAREY,  THOMAS.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Westboro,  Mass. 

CARROLL,  JOHN.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  26.  Single.  Mill- 
bury.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

CASEY,  PATRICK.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  34.  Married. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Westboro  in  1870. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  377 

CLARKE,  JAMES.  Private.  Parasol  maker.  Age  30.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

CLUNE,  HENRY.  Private.  Wire-drawer.  Age  19.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Chester,  Mass. 

CLUNE,  JAMES.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  39.  Married.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

CONNOR,  JAMES.  Private.  Age  21.  Single.  West  Boylston. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  C  3d  Battalion  of 
Rifles.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

CONNOR,  THOMAS.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  27.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Worcester,  1876. 

COUCH,  HENRY.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  40.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

CURBOY,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  20.  Single.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  K  3d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Sturbridge,  Mass. 

DANAHY,  THOMAS.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  27.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

DARNEY,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Iron  worker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Worcester,  1864. 

DEE,  JOHN.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  24.  Single.  Westboro. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Westboro. 

DELANEY,  JAMES.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  22.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 


378  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

DEVLIN,  HENRY.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Milford.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  2d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

DOLAN,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single.  West- 
boro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  4th  Heavy 
Artillery-  Died  in  Worcester,  1879. 

DOLAN,  PATRICK.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  32.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24, 1863.  Died  in  Worcester,  1879. 

DUNN,  JAMES.  Private.  Coachman.  Age  26.  Single.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

FARRELL,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Fireman.  Age  24.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Left  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  sick.  Died  in  Worcester,  1873. 

FAY,  WILLIAM  J.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

FITZGERALD,  MARTIN.  Private.  Wire-drawer.  Age  21. 
Single.  Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
30,  1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  2,  1863. 

FOLEY,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  F  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

FORREST,  DANIEL.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Spencer.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Spencer,  Mass. 

FORREST,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Spencer.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  C  4th 
Cavalry. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  379 

FOY,  JAMES.  Private.  Wire-drawer.  Age  25.  Single.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

GALLAGHER,  PATRICK.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  18. 
Single.  Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
30,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

GLANCY,  THOMAS.  Private.  Umbrella  maker.  Age  35.  Wid 
ower.  Lowell.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co. 
A  59th  Regt.  Died  in  Libby  Prison. 

GRADY,  DENNIS.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  4th 
Cavalry. 

HANNON,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Westboro,  1868. 

HERR,  DANIEL.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

HIGGINS,  MAURICE.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Drowned  in  Mississippi  River, 
1864. 

HUGHES,  LUKE.  Private.  Age  19.  Single.  Boston.  Enl. 
Nov.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Dec.  9,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  56th  Regt.  Killed  at 
Petersburg,  Va.,  in  59th  Regt. 

KEEVAN,  THOMAS.     Private.     Bootmaker.     Age  35.     Married. 
Westboro.     Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.     Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

KELLEY,  HENRY  T.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  17.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Nov.  2,  1862.  Mustered  in  Dec.  9,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 


380  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

KELLEY,  JOHN.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Providence. 

LEE,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  35.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enlisted  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Absent  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  Co.  A  57th  Regt.  Died  in  Worcester,  1870. 

MARION,  JAMES.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Millbury.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MARTIN,  THOMAS.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  40.  Married.  West- 
boro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Marlboro,  Mass. 

McBRIDE,  JAMES.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  32.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863. 

MCCARTHY,  PATRICK.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Westboro,  1870. 

McCOY,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  22.  Married. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

McCOY,  THOMAS.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  28.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Deserted  in  New  York,  Dec.  1,  1862. 

McLAUGHLIN,  DANIEL.  Private.  Marble  worker.  Age  34. 
Single.  Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
30,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co. 
C  3d  Battalion  of  Rifles. 

McMANUS,  PATRICK.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  30.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  381 

MEAGHER,  THOMAS  F.  Private.  Tailor.  Age  26.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Boston,  1870. 

MORAN,  PETER.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  22.  Married.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

MORIARTY,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  22.  Married.  Mill- 
bury.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Millbury,  1865. 

MURPHY,  JEREMIAH.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  28.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  Worcester. 

MURPHY,  JOHN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  22.  Married.  Worces 
ter.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

MURPHY,  PATRICK.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Died  in  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  8,  1863. 

MURPHY,  THOMAS.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Westboro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  6th  Unat 
tached  Co.  and  Co.  K  4th  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Westboro, 

Mass. 

O'CONNOR,  PATRICK.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  25.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Oct.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  29,  1862.  Deserted  at 
Worcester,  Oct.  30,  1862. 

O'ROURKE,  CHARLES  P.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  25.  Wid 
ower.  Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Died  in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  30,  1863. 

PHELAN,  FRANCIS.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  Co.  D  4th 
Heavy  Artillery. 


382  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

PHELAN,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  40.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Oct.  6,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  14,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

PORTER,  PETER.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  22.  Single. 
Spencer.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  14,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  4th 
Cavalry.  Died  in  Spencer,  1865. 

POWER,  JAMES  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Died  on  steamer  Omaha  en  route  home,  Aug.  3,  1863. 

QUINN,  MARTIN.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  18.  Single.  West- 
boro.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  4th  Heavy 
Artillery. 

QUINN,  PATRICK.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Milford.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  2d 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Bangor,  Me. 

REIL,  JOHN.  Private.  Wire-drawer.  Age  20.  Single.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Aug.  13, 1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  29th  Unattached  Co. 

RICE,  JOHN.  Private.  Mason.  Age  35.  Married.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

ROACH,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Fireman.  Age  21.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Previous  service  Co.  E  3d  Bat 
talion  of  Rifles.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  25th  Regt. 
Died  in  Worcester,  1864. 

SCRYMGOUR,  THOMAS.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  26.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Absent  without  leave  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Montreal. 

SHEEHAN,  REDMOND.  Farmer.  Age  19.  Single.  Worcester. 
Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  383 

SKERRITT,  NICHOLAS.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  19.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  19,  1863. 

SMITH,  GORDON.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

TONER,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Wire-drawer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

TREANOR,  OWEN.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  22.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Died  in  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  March  9,  1863. 

WELSH,  MICHAEL.  Private.  Grocer.  Age  20.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Worcester. 

WOLFE,  RICHARD.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  22.  Married. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863.  Resides  in  Millbury,  Mass. 

WOOD,  HENRY  C.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Worcester.  Enl.  Aug.  13,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  30, 
1862.  Died  at  Worcester,  Oct.  31,  1862. 

OCCUPATIONS 


Bootmakers  
Laborers  
^^ire-drawers 

.    .    .   18 
.    .   18 
9 

Coachmen      
Moulders    
Grocer            

.    .   2 
2 

.    .    1 

Machinists 

g 

Hostler                           .    . 

.    .    1 

Farmers    

.    .    .     6 

Marble  worker  

.    .    1 

Q 

Umbrella  maker 

1 

Blacksmiths     .... 
Carpenters 

.    .    .     4 
.    .    .     3 

Parasol  maker  
Iron  worker       

.    .    1 
.    1 

Tailors  

.    .    .     3 
2 

Currier    
No  occupation 

.    .    1 
2 

Masons     

.    .     2 

Married,  35;  single,  54;  widowers,  2.     Average  age,  24  years  and 
7  months. 


384  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

COMPANY  K 

JOHN  G.BARNES.  Capt.  Painter.  Age  36.  Married.  George 
town.  Com.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry  100  days  and  1  year.  Died  in  George 
town,  Nov.  25,  1868. 

JOHN  P.  BRADSTREET.  1st  Lieut.  Shoe  dresser.  Age  26. 
Single.  Georgetown.  Com.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Law 
rence,  Dec.  12,  1893. 

JAMES  H.  RUNDLETT.  2d  Lieut.  Shoe  manufacturer.  Age  40. 
Married.  Bradford.  Com.  Aug.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Haverhill, 
Oct.  24,  1896. 

SOLOMON  NELSON.  1st  Sergt.  Farmer.  Age  35.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  March  17,  1882. 

EDWARD  P.  WILDER.  Sergt.  Shoemaker.  Age  30.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry  100  days  and  1  year.  Died  in  Georgetown. 

CHARLES  S.  PEARSON.  Sergt.  Butcher.  Age  28.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Bradford,  Oct.  20,  1863. 

JOHN  A.  BACON.  Sergt.  Bootmaker.  Age  41.  Single.  South 
Groveland.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  California. 

SAMUEL  H.  BATCHELDER.  Sergt.  Engineer.  Age  43.  Mar 
ried.  Boxford.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

WILLIAM  A.  ORDWAY.  Sergt.  Age  23.  Single.  Bradford. 
Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Discharged 
Oct.  2,  1862.  to  accept  an  appointment  in  the  U.S.  Army. 
Died  in  Bradford,  Aug.  17,  1894. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  385 

CHANCY  O.  NO  YES.  Corpl.  Carpenter.  Age  21.  Single.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Georgetown,  June,  1906. 

JOHN  G.  SCATES.  Corpl.  Bootmaker.  Age  30.  Married.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry  100  days  and  1  year.  Died  in  Haverhill. 

BARTHOLOMEW  HALEY.  Corpl.  Bootmaker.  Age  23. 
Single.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Georgetown. 

BENJAMIN  P.  CARLTON.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  37.  Mar 
ried.  Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  27,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Groveland. 

NATHANIEL  D.  PIERCE.  Corpl.  Bootmaker.  Age  35.  Mar 
ried.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept, 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
17th  Unattached  Infantry  100  days  and  1  year.  Died  in 
Salem. 

WILLIAM  E.TAYLOR.  Corpl.  Bootmaker.  Age  35.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Georgetown. 

CHARLES  W.  RUNDLETT.  Corpl.  Machinist,  Age  28.  Mar 
ried.  Newbury.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Byfield. 

GEORGE  LUCY.  Corpl.  Shoemaker.  Age  19.  Single.  Brad 
ford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

CHANDLER  L.  PARKER.  Musician.  Cordwainer.  Age  25. 
Single.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Oct.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

HAMILTON  L.PERKINS.  Musician.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry  100  days  and  1  year.  Resides  in  Haverhill. 


386  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

JOHN  D.  DINSMORE.  Wagoner.  Shoemaker.  Age  32.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  D  3d 
Cavalry. 

BAILEY,  WILLIAM  P.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  20.  Married. 
Newbury.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Subsequent  service  17th  Unattached  Infantry  1  year.  Re 
sides  in  Newbury,  Mass. 

BALCH,  JEREMIAH.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  39.  Married. 
Topsfield.  Enl.  Oct.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  11,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

BLACKBURN,  THOMAS  O.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  30. 
Married.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge  ,  La,,  April  1,  1863. 

BOYNTON,  GEORGE  N.  Private.  Hostler.  Age  18.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  3,  1863. 

BROWN,  GAYTON.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  20.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  U.S. 
Signal  Corps. 

CARTER,  ELBRIDGE  A.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  21.  Mar 
ried.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
Co.  G  59th  Regt.  Resides  in  Natick. 

CARTER,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Sept.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  C  1st 
Battalion  Cavalry.  Resides  in  Carlisle,  Mass. 

CARLTON,  ORLANDO  S.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Bradford,  Mass. 

CHADWICK,  JOHN  R.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  38.  Single. 
Boxford.  Enl.  Sept.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862.  Ab 
sent  sick  when  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Bradford. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  387 

CHAFFIL,  THOMAS  J.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  42.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Georgetown. 

CHANDLER,  ISAAC  H.  Private.  Age  18.  Single.  Salem. 
Enl.  Oct.  30,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  30,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  E  59th  Regt. 
Killed  at  Petersburg  in  the  59th  Mass.  Regt. 

CLOUGH,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Grocer.  Age  21.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  in  New  York,  Nov.  22,  1862. 

COLBURN,  JAMES  S.  Private.  Stonemason.  Age  37.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Danvers. 

CROSBY,  EDWARD  T.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  18.  Single.  Brad 
ford.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
at  sea  en  route  home  Aug.  2,  1863. 

CURRIER,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862, 
Died  at  Mound  City,  111. 

DOLE,  AMOS  G.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  21.  Single.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  16,  1863. 

DRESSER,  CHARLES  C.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  9,  1863. 

FLOYD,  LYMAN.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  25.  Married. 
Newbury.  Enl.  Aug.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  29,  1863. 

GOODALE,  SAMUEL  D.  Private.  Age  18.  Single.  Boxford. 
Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  14th  Battery.  Resides 
in  Georgetown. 

GOODELL,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Age  18.  Single.  Boxford. 
Enl.  Oct.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  16,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Washington,  D.C. 


388  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

GOVE,  HENRY  G.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single.  Box- 
ford.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

GURLEY,  WILLIAM  A.  E.  Private.  Stone  mason.  Age  44. 
Married.  Boxford.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4, 
1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  22,  1863. 

HALE,  MATTHEW.  Private.  Carpenter.  Age  34.  Married. 
Boxford.  Enl.  Oct.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  17, 1862.  Died 
at  Mound  City,  111.,  Aug.  20,  1863. 

HALL,  DANIEL  W.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  24.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 
Subsequent  service  U.S.  Signal  Corps.  Resides  in  Georgetown. 

HANSON,  JOHN  A.  Private.  Tin  worker.  Age  28.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  B  59th 
Regt.  Died  in  Haverhill,  December,  1904. 

HILLS,  BENJAMIN.  Private.  Musician.  Age  23.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Oct.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  October  8, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
band  of  the  17th  Regt.  Dead. 

HILLS,  HENRY  C.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  26.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  September,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Bradford. 

HODGE,  NOAH  C.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  36.  Married.  Brad 
ford.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
in  Bradford,  Mass.,  Sept.  3,  1863. 

HOWE,WILLARD  P.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  38.  Single.  Box- 
ford.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  H  59th  Regt. 
Died  in  Boxford. 

HOYT,  TIMOTHY.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  38.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 
Resides  in  Georgetown. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  389 

HUNKINS,  WILLIAM.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Topsfield.  Enl.  Oct.  8,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  11, 1862.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  7,  1863. 

JEWETT,  MILTON  F.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  9,  1863. 

JEWETT,  SAMUEL  S.  Private.  Bootmaker.  Age  35.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

JOHNSTON,  HENRY.  Private.  Musician.  Age  33.  Married. 
Topsfield.  Enl.  Oct.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  11,  1862. 
Appointed  Principal  Musician  March  1,  1863.  Subsequent  ser 
vice  Co.  E,  59th  Regt.  Dead. 

KIMBALL,  GRANVILLE  R.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Mound  City,  111.,  August,  1863. 

KIMBALL,  WARREN  M.  Private.  Machinist.  Age  20.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  61st 
Regt.  Resides  in  Lynn. 

LIBBY,  IRA.  Private.  Gardener.  Age  29.  Married.  Bradford. 
Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1852.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Greenough,  Nev. 

MERRILL,  BENJAMIN  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  20.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  59th 
Regt.  Died  at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  14,  1864. 

MERRILL,  BYRON  J.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  33.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  M  4th 
Heavy  Artillery.  Resides  in  Georgetown. 

MERRILL,  COLMAN  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 
Died  in  Rowley,  June  19,  1878. 


390  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

MERRILL,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Mar 
ried.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Georgetown. 

MERRILL,  LEWIS  A.  Private.  Physician.  Age  45.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Died  in  Georgetown,  Mass.,  Sept.  7,  1863. 

MERRILL,  RICHMOND  D.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Mar 
ried.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  28,  1862. 

MORSE,  EDWIN  C.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  37.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Dead. 

MORSE,  GEORGE  F.  Private.  Box  manufacturer.  Age  39. 
Married.  Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  23,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Bradford,  1904. 

MYERS,  JOSEPH.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Discharged  March  18,  1863,  at  New  Orleans,  for  disability. 
Died  in  Bradford,  Sept.  15,  1863. 

NEWHALL,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  40.  Mar 
ried.  Boxford.  Enl.  Oct.  4,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  4,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  5th  Battery. 
Died  in  Boxford. 

NILES,  GEORGE.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  27.  Married. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  Georgetown,  May 
26,  1870. 

PARKER,  CHARLES  S.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  21.  Single. 
Groveland.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  South  Groveland. 

PARKER,  GEORGE  W.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  21.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Bangor,  Me. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  391 

PARKER,  RUFUS  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  22.  Married. 
Groveland.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  South  Groveland. 

PARSONS,  JOHN.  Private.  Peddler.  Age  42..  Married.  Newbury. 
Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  in 
Baton  Rouge,  La.,  May  12,  1863. 

PARSONS,  JOHN  H.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  18.  Married.  New 
bury.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Died  in  Newbury,  Oct.  22,  1864. 

PEABODY,  CALVIN.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  39.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 
1863.  Dead. 

PEABODY,  CHARLES  H.  Private.  Blacksmith.  Age  39.  Mar 
ried.  Bradford.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 

1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.     Died  in  Bradford,  June, 
1905. 

PEABODY,  DANIEL  A.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  25.  Single. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Sept.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Bradford. 

PERKINS,  BYRON  L.  R.  Private.  Age  25.  Single.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  the  17th 
Unattached  Infantry,  100  days  and  1  year. 

PERKINS,  CALVIN  G.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  29.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 

1863.  Resides   in   Bradford,    Mass. 

PERLEY,  ASA  K.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  25.  Single.  Box- 
ford.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
at  Boxford,  Mass.,  Aug.  16,  1863. 

PERLEY,  THOMAS  P.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Boxford.  Enl.  Sept.  17,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  sea,  en  route  home,  Aug.  4,  1863. 


392  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

PERRY,  JOHN.  Private.  Farmer.  Age  38.  Married.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
at  Lynn,  Mass.,  Aug.  24,  1863. 

PICKETT,  FRANK  R.  Private.  Age  20.  Single.  Georgetown. 
Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died  in 
Georgetown,  Mass.,  Aug.  23,  1863. 

POOR,  FREDERICK  W.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  30.  Mar 
ried.  Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  19,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Died  in  hospital  at  Mound  City,  111. 

POOR,  HIRAM  K.  Private.  Merchant.  Age  25.  Married.  New- 
bury.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  17th  Un 
attached  Infantry  1  year. 

POOR,  JOHN  S.  Private.  Gardener.  Age  21.  Single.  Bradford. 
Enl.  Sept.  15,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered 
out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Cedar  Rapids,  Neb. 

RAYMOND,  SAMUEL  H.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Mar 
ried.  Bradford.  Enl.  Sept.  10,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 

SHERBURNE,  WILLIAM  H.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  41. 
Married.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in 
Sept.  18,  1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  at  George 
town,  Sept.  6,  1863. 

SHERMAN,  CHARLES  F.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  27.  Married. 
Chelsea.  Enl.  Oct.  22,  1862.  Mustered  in  Oct.  22,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  B  59th 
Regt. 

SIDES,  THOMAS  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  28.  Married. 
Groveland.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863. 
Resides  in  South  Groveland. 

SIDES,  WILLIAM  O.  Private.  Laborer.  Age  45.  Married. 
Groveland.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  April  5,  1863. 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  393 

SPOFFORD,  AMOS.  Private.  Caterer.  Age  40.  Married.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Died 
at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  4,  1863. 

SPOFFORD,  CHARLES  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23. 
Single.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  25,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept. 
19,  1862.  Died  in  Georgetown,  Mass.,  Aug.  21,  1863. 

SPOFFORD,  GEORGE  H.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  28.  Mar 
ried.  Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service 
17th  Unattached  Infantry  100  days  and  1  year.  Resides  at 
Campello,  Mass. 

TENNEY,  CHARLES  E.  Private.  Cordwainer.  Age  23.  Single. 
Newbury.  Enl.  Aug.  18,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Chicago. 

TENNEY,  CHARLES  W.  Private.  Age  18.  Single.  George 
town.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 
Resides  in  Georgetown. 

TENNEY,  JOHN  G.  Private.  Age  18.  Single.  Newbury. 
Enl.  Aug.  18, 1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mustered  out 
Aug.  24,  1863. 

TENNEY,  MOSES  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  23.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Aug.  16,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  Co.  G  4th 
Cavalry.  Died  at  Williamsburg,  Va.,  Oct.  20,  1864. 

TYLER,  CHARLES  E.  Private.  Shoe  cutter.  Age  23.  Single. 
Georgetown.  Enl.  Oct.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Resides  in  Georgetown. 

WIGGINS,  CYRUS  R.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  30.  Married. 
South  Groveland.  Enl.  Aug.  21,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19, 
1862.  Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug. 
24,  1863.  Died  in  Groveland. 

WATSON,  GEORGE  E.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  26.  Married. 
Bradford.  Enl.  Aug.  29,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Mustered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Died  in  Bradford,  1904. 


394 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


WILDES,  JAMES  B.  Private.  Clerk.  Age  22.  Single.  George 
town.  Enl.  Oct.  11,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862.  Mus 
tered  out  Aug.  24,  1863.  Subsequent  service  in  the  band  of 
the  20th  Regt.  Resides  in  Boston,  Mass. 

WILEY,  FRANK  A.  Private.  Shoemaker.  Age  24.  Married. 
Newbury.  Enl.  Aug.  28,  1862.  Mustered  in  Sept.  19,  1862. 
Absent  sick  when  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  Aug.  24, 1863. 
Resides  in  Auburn,  Me. 


OCCUPATIONS 


Farmers    

.   13      Peddler  

1 

10      Box  manufacturer    

1 

Shoe  cutters     

.     6      Physician  

I 

Cordwainers     

.     4      Tin  plate  worker  

I 

T31       1           'fV> 

3      Grocer 

1 

3      Hostler 

1 

• 

2      Engineer 

1 

Musicians  

.     2      Butcher      

1 

n           4- 

2      Shoe  manufacturer 

1 

Q.4- 

2      Shoe  dresser 

1 

2      Painter               

1 

1       No  occupation       .    .    .    . 

8 

Laborer    

.     1 

Married,  57;  single,  45. 

Average  age,  28  years  and  3  months. 

OCCUPATIONS    OF    THE    REGIMENT   WHEN    ENLISTED 


Shoemakers 187 

Clerks 76 

Farmers 71 

Laborers 59 

Carpenters 45 

Seamen 39 

Shoe  cutters 31 

Cordwainers 30 

Bootmakers 28 

Machinists 24 

Painters 21 

Yeomen 18 

Students 16 

Teamsters      16 

Butchers 14 

Blacksmiths  .  14 


Cabinetmakers 13 

Masons 12 

Wire-drawers 9 

Moulders 8 

Stonecutters      8 

Shoe  dressers 

Shoe  stitchers 

Curriers 

Hostlers 

Bakers 

Printers      7 

Mariners 7 

Tailors 6 

Operators 6 

Druggists 6 

Spinners 6 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 


395 


Joiners 6 

Factory  hands 5 

Coopers 4 

Grocers 4 

Tanners 4 

Peddlers 4 

Merchants 4 

Tin  plate  workers 4 

Weavers 4 

Lawyers 3 

Traders 3 

Dentists 3 

Musicians 3 

Provision  dealers 3 

Artists 3 

Wheelwrights 3 

Shoe  manufacturers 3 

Barbers       2 

Planers 2 

Salesmen 2 

Upholsterers 2 

Ship  joiners   ........   2 

Oil  manufacturers 2 

Expressmen 2 

Fish  dealers 2 

Brass  moulders 2 

Firemen 2 

Coachmen 2 

Stone  masons 2 

Gardeners 2 

Engineers 2 

Watchmakers 2 

Milkmen  .   2 


Brickmaker   .    .    . 

Nailer 

Fisherman  .  .  . 
Photographer  .  . 
Civil  engineer  .  . 
Policeman  .  .  . 
Hospital  nurse 
Railroad  man  .  . 

Iceman 

Physician  .... 
Bookbinder  .  .  . 
Architect  .... 

Florist 

Box  manufacturer 
Caterer  . 


Finishers 2 

Razor- strap  makers     ....  2 

Dyers 2 

Chemist 1 

Hatter 1 

Last  maker 1 

Organ  pipe  maker 1 

Pump  maker 1 

Quarryman 1 

Married,  436;    single,  530;  widowers,  2. 


Iron  worker 1 

Umbrella  maker 1 

Parasol  maker 

Gas  maker 

Marble  worker 

Bolter 

Driver 

Calker 

Coppersmith 1 

Hairdresser 1 

Tobacconist 1 

Miller      1 

Carriage  trimmer 1 

Needle  maker 1 

Gas  fitter 1 

Morocco  dresser 1 

Auctioneer 1 

Wharfinger 1 

Varnisher 1 

Locksmith 1 

Roofer 1 

Bookkeeper 1 

Wool  carder 1 

Harness  maker 1 

Gas  man 1 

No  occupation 22 


Total,  968.     Average 


age  in  the  regiment,  26  years  and  4  months. 


INDEX 

Assault  on  Port  Hudson  on  June  14,  1863: 

Account  of,  by  Comrade  Howe  of  Company  F    .  174 

Account  of,  by  Sergeant  Nelson 175-177 

Battle  between  White  and  Negro  Troops  before  Port 

Hudson 148 

Camp  Life  at  Baton  Rouge 57-65 

Capture  of  Port  Hudson: 

Communication  of  General  Banks  to   General 

Grant  on  the  Surrender 201 

Correspondent  of  the  New  York  Times  on  .    .    .     211,  212 

From  the  New  Orleans  Era  on 249 

From  the  Port  Hudson  Freemen 212,  213 

Rebel  Narrative  of 246 

Terms  of  Surrender 203 

Unconditional  Surrender 200 

Cards  issued  to  Members  of  the  Regiment  in  Philadelphia  241 

Colonel  Steedman's  Report  of  Operations  at  Port  Hudson     147-149 
Companies  A,  K  and  E  embarked  from  New  York  for 

Baton  Rouge  on  Jersey  Blue,  Dec.  10,  1862     ....  12 

Companies  B,  C,  D,  F  and  G  embark  on  Niagara  from 

New  York 15 

Companies  B,  C,  D,  F,  G  and  H  sail  from  Philadelphia  on 

Jenny  Lind  for  New  Orleans 23 

Companies  B,  D  and  F  transferred  to  Montebello   ....  35 

Company  I  transported  from  New  York  on  Steamer  New 
Brunswick  for  Baton  Rouge  in  Advance  of  other 

Companies 12 

Comrade  Eustis's  Account  of  Grierson's  Cavalry  Raid   .    .  99 

Comrade  Eustis's  Account  of  Voyage  of  Companies  A,  K 

and  E  from  New  York  to  Baton  Rouge 43 

Corporal  Henry's  Account  of  Company  H  till  it  reached 

Philadelphia 15-18 

Correspondence    between    General    Banks    and    General 

Gardner  relating  to  Surrender  of  Port  Hudson   .     181,  201,  202 
Correspondence  of  General  Banks  relating  to  Advance  on 

Port  Hudson,  March  14 72-75 

Correspondence  relating  to  Expedition  to  Winter's  Plan 
tation      90-93 

Correspondence  concerning  Fall  of  Vicksburg 201-207 


398  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment 

C.S.A.  Lieut.  James  Freret's  Account  of  Fall  of  Vicksburg  207 

Death  of  Dr.  French 98 

Departure  of  Troops  for  the  Teche  Country    ......  95 

Diary  of  Corpl.  Henry  H.  Johnson  of  Company  F,  168, 169,  214,  215 

Diary  of  Corpl.  William  H.  Nash 35-53 

Diary  of  Sergeant   Nelson,    10-13,   43-53,   62-65,   87-89,   96,   97, 

105-109,  137-141,  156-168,  189-200,  215-221,  223,  224 

Diary  of  Gen.  Halbert  E.  Paine 144-146, 178 

Extract  from  Boston  Journal  of  Aug.  12,  1863,  relating 

to  50th  Regiment,  upon  its  arrival  Home 284-287 

Extract  from  Journal  of  James  Howe 136, 137 

Extracts   of   Correspondence   between    Generals    Banks, 

Grant  and  Halleck      123-125 

Extracts  from  Journal  of  Comrade  Andrews  of  Company  A  103-105 

Extracts  from  Journal  of  Otis  E.  Sheldon  of  Company  F  105-109 

Expedition  to  Winter's  Plantation 85 

Experience  of  Company  E  at  Port  Huron  as  described  by 

Comrade  Eustis 135, 136 

Fall  of  Vicksburg  announced      199 

Gen.  Nathan  A.  M.  Dudley,  Military  History  of    ....  232-240 
General  Dudley's  Farewell  Address  to  the  Regiment    .    .  210 
Grierson's  Cavalry,  Arrival  at  Port  Hudson  from  Ten 
nessee  of 98 

Headstones  at  Graves  of  Comrades  in  the  National  Cem 
etery  at  Baton  Rouge      241 

Heavy  Ordnance  at  Port  Hudson,  La.,  March  27,  1863     .  94 

Journal  of  Company  A 272-284 

Letter  of  a  Soldier  upon  Return  Home  from  Hospital, 

offering  Marriage 288 

Letters  of  Maj.-Gen.  N.  P.  Banks  to  Maj.-Gen.  H.  W. 

Halleck 182-185 

Letters  of  Col.  N.  A.  M.  Dudley 91,112-115,126-128 

Life  at  Camp  Stan  ton,  Boxford 4 

Marcus  A.  Hanna  of  Company  B,  Extract  from  Portland 

Press  relating  to 246 

Masonic  Pin,  Story  of 248 

Notice  concerning  Company  A  in  Salem  Gazette     ....  267 
Organization    of    Confederate    Troops    commanded    by 

Maj.-Gen.  Frank  Gardner 244 

Organization  of  19th  Army  Corps  under  General  Banks   .  54 

Organization  of  the  Regiment 1 

Organization  of  Troops  at  Port  Hudson,  May  31,  1863     .  152-156 

Plains'  Store,  General  Dudley's  Report  of  Battle  at     .    .  126-128 

President's  Call  for  Troops 2 


Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Regiment  399 

Private  James  Miller  of  Company  B,  Private  Charles  H. 
Warren  of  Company  C,  Corpl.  Edward  S.  Tubbs 
of  Company  G,  and  others  of  the  regiment  volun 
teer  to  form  Part  of  Storming  Party  for  Assault  on 

Port  Hudson 188 

Regiment  in  New  York  City 8 

Regiment  mustered  into  Service  of  the  United  States  .    .  5 

Regiment  mustered  out  at  Wenham,  Aug.  24,  1863,  by 

Capt.  J.  K.  Lawrence  of  the  llth  U.S.  Infantry     .    .  231 

Regiment  started  for  Home,  July  28,  1863,  on  board 
Steamer  Omaha,  were  transferred  to  Moderator  and 
Luther  M.  Kennett  few  Miles  from  Helena,  Ark., 
thence  by  Boat  and  Rail,  arriving  at  Boston,  Aug. 

11,  1863,  and  dismissed 222-230 

Regiment  volunteers  to  remain  beyond  their  Term  of 
Enlistment,  and  is  thanked  in  Special  Orders  No.  158 

by  General  Banks  for  so  doing 187 

Regimental  Reunions 251-267 

Reports  of  Maj.-Gen.  N.  P.  Banks,  commanding  De 
partment  of  the  Gulf,  of  Operations,  March  7-27, 

1863 77-83 

Roster  of  the  Field,  Staff  and  Line  Officers  in  1862  at 

Philadelphia 242 

Roster  of  the  Fiftieth  Massachusetts  Volunteers,  Field, 

Staff  and  Company 289-395 

Sergeant  Nelson's  Account  of  Voyage  of  Companies  A,  K 

and  E  on  Jersey  Blue  from  New  York  to  Baton  Rouge         43-53 

Soldiers'  Guide  to  Philadelphia 243 

Surrender  of  Port  Hudson  demanded 170 

Terrible  Sickness  in  Rebel  Garrison  at  Port  Hudson     .    .  250 


VC  51167 


M205571 


P 

^^ 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


